A few days ago, I posted Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas (AMED) Studies at San Francisco State University hosting a Zoom discussion featuring notorious palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled. Naturally, the usual suspects like Times of Israel, the Jerusalem Post, and Algemeiner were late to the game (and did not bother to attribute the story to me or possibly someone else who preceded them), although one journo from the Jewish Journal did the right thing as he normally does.
Be that as it may, I implored you all to write to SFSU Chancellor Dr. Timothy P. White and President Lynn Mahoney.
And the latter has responded.
Thank you for contacting me. It is not uncommon for professors to invite speakers to address classes and invite the public to attend in some circumstances. This event is being held jointly by professors from two departments, and Ms. Khaled is one of several panel speakers.
An invitation to a public figure to speak to a class should not be construed as an endorsement of point of view. Higher education and the college experience are an opportunity to hear divergent ideas, viewpoints and accounts of life experiences. An important outcome of the college experience is to learn to think critically and come to independent, personal conclusions about events of local and global importance.
San Francisco State University supports academic freedom, including the freedom to engage in intellectual debate, to express individual viewpoints, and to challenge the viewpoints of others without fear of retaliation or censorship. A university is a marketplace of ideas, and SF State supports the rights of all individuals to express their viewpoints and other speech protected by law, even when those viewpoints may be controversial.
We also strive to be a welcoming and nurturing campus for students from a variety of ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. We recognize that the exercise of free speech and academic freedom can result in discomfort or pain for others. We have systems in place to support our students, including our Division of Diversity and Community Inclusion.
Sincerely,
Lynn Mahoney
What a cop-out. Has she not even noticed the rifle Khaled is holding in the poster?
As I mentioned in my previous post, Leila Khaled is an unrepentant terrorist who supports the murder of civilians. College kids are being brainwashed as it is; but to have them listen to a woman who supports and glorifies murder?
This is not about what “can result in discomfort or pain for others.” It is about good vs evil, and giving an opportunity to the latter to possibly influence our kids.
I support free speech but there need to be red lines. Would Lynn Mahoney support having a pedophile speak, for example? What about a Neo Nazi?
If the answer is no, then SFSU should not be hosting her.
If the answer is, then G-d help us all.
