Spring Break
Polemics fail to challenge false biases
by Ammad Bahalim and Bariza Umar
Op-Ed | 3/13/07
Posted online at 11:57 PM EST on 3/12/07
/ Last updated at 9:27 PM EST on 3/12/07
The first time historian and vitriolic writer, Daniel Pipes, came to campus we helped stage a protest. We marched through the dorms chanting peacenik slogans-a rare sight at Brandeis. In Massell Quad, we were welcomed by a two-by-four and a hurdled baseball. Clearly, campus response to anything Israel-related is always measured.
We did not want to prevent Pipes from coming. Rather, we wanted to demonstrate that Brandeis students, regardless of religion, ethnicity or nationality, were united in their opposition to hateful polemicists. We were in many ways disappointed and deeply shaken by what Pipes had said and how fellow students hissed at us
In the aftermath, University President Jehuda Reinharz took the time to attend a late-night gathering where students, faculty and staff took him to task. Reinharz chose to forgo his prior plans, subjecting himself to scrutiny by students, something no other university president, in our opinion, would have done. Ever the diplomat, the president listened, explained and negotiated his way out of any radical commitments. However, we never doubted his commitment to student welfare.
The current debate on his fealty to Israeli or student interests is flawed. Reinharz has presided over the doubling of the University endowment, the endless expansion of University facilities and the building of Brandeis' reputation through innovative programs-all this despite the conflicting expectations of students, alumni, donors, staff, faculty and even the Jewish community. He is only human. While Pipes criticizes Reinharz for allowing the Palestinian art exhibit to go up last spring, others criticize him for taking it down.
Brandeis University is unique, with its plethora of dialogue groups and its own kind of diversity. If there is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Brandeis is where it will emerge. During our years at Brandeis we felt a palpable shift on campus towards hateful polemics and a growing need to re-evaluate what the University stood for.
We did not want to prevent Pipes from coming. Rather, we wanted to demonstrate that Brandeis students, regardless of religion, ethnicity or nationality, were united in their opposition to hateful polemicists. We were in many ways disappointed and deeply shaken by what Pipes had said and how fellow students hissed at us
In the aftermath, University President Jehuda Reinharz took the time to attend a late-night gathering where students, faculty and staff took him to task. Reinharz chose to forgo his prior plans, subjecting himself to scrutiny by students, something no other university president, in our opinion, would have done. Ever the diplomat, the president listened, explained and negotiated his way out of any radical commitments. However, we never doubted his commitment to student welfare.
The current debate on his fealty to Israeli or student interests is flawed. Reinharz has presided over the doubling of the University endowment, the endless expansion of University facilities and the building of Brandeis' reputation through innovative programs-all this despite the conflicting expectations of students, alumni, donors, staff, faculty and even the Jewish community. He is only human. While Pipes criticizes Reinharz for allowing the Palestinian art exhibit to go up last spring, others criticize him for taking it down.
Brandeis University is unique, with its plethora of dialogue groups and its own kind of diversity. If there is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Brandeis is where it will emerge. During our years at Brandeis we felt a palpable shift on campus towards hateful polemics and a growing need to re-evaluate what the University stood for.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
James Sanders
posted 3/13/07 @ 9:55 AM EST
Who are the writers? If it's whom I think it is than these two students were truly great community members when they were here.
asher labendz
posted 3/14/07 @ 2:04 PM EST
What exactly does Mr. Pipes say that upsets you so much. I heard Mr. Pipes speak at my synagogue and found him to be extremely insightful. Although it would be wonderful if Islamic Jihadists did not want to destroy Israel and wantonly murder Jews, The fact is that they do. (Continued…)
Chicago
posted 3/14/07 @ 2:12 PM EST
Whoever they are- they provide nice, but empty platitudes, mixed with harsh but unspecific criticism of Daniel Pipes and Bat Ye'or. Read them carefully yourself and decide. (Continued…)
Post a Comment