Oberlin College used to be a reliable example of the left-wing political correctness and entitlement that pervades today’s institutions of higher learning. This after all, was the college where study-abroad students were offended by the “disrespectful” cultural appropriation of their home countries’ traditional dishes in the campus dining hall.
More recently, it was also the school where African American students demanded the establishment of black-only “safe spaces” across campus as well as a stipend for those leading protest movements on campus. Remarkably, Oberlin’s president said “no” to the activists’ list of “demands, not suggestions.” Has the school taken a sharp rightward turn?
Not really. Those associated with the school are currently chewing their fingernails over what to do about an assistant professor whose social media activity included posts blaming Jews for 9/11 and more.
@oberlincollege A new record for idiocy was set by social justice professor Joy Karega, who claims Isis is a CIA and Mossad operation.
— Chad (@ChadKe_) February 27, 2016
Oberlin leaders denounce a professor’s social media posts on terror attacks as “anti-Semitic and abhorrent” https://t.co/MFQEy4eq2W
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 7, 2016
BREAKING: Chairman of Oberlin Trustees: Joy Karega’s Posts “Abhorrent,” Calls for Swift Review https://t.co/rWL9ywIAM3
— Josh Block (@JoshBlockDC) March 6, 2016
Chairman of Oberlin trustees: Joy Karega’s posts are “anti-Semitic and abhorrent,” swift review needed https://t.co/4E76PslWPP
— AJC Advocacy (@AJCadvocacy) March 7, 2016
The New York Times reports today that Oberlin’s board of trustees has called on the school to “conduct a review and report back to it for possible action in the wake of Facebook posts by Joy Karega, a professor in the rhetoric and composition department.” The Times adds that Karega “is teaching social justice writing courses this semester and does not have tenure.”
Oberlin President Marvin Krislov, who is Jewish, said last week that, while personally difficult, he supports Karega’s freedom of speech.
President of @oberlincollege defends prof's right to free speech after social media furor https://t.co/ue1aocnsl4 by @LisaRobersonCT
— The Chronicle-Telegram (@YourChronicle) March 2, 2016
Academic freedom, Krislov said in a statement, “enables Oberlin’s faculty and students to think deeply about and to engage in frank, open discussion of ideas that some may find deeply offensive.” Again, this is the school where black students demanded racially segregated safe spaces.
The Chronicle-Telegram, which covers Ohio’s Lorain County, reported Sunday that “Oberlin College and a number of concerned organizations representing the greater Cleveland Jewish community have agreed to work together to develop a program aimed at fostering a positive campus dialogue on anti-Semitism.”
And the students themselves? It depends on whom you ask, but some were willing to protest on Karega’s behalf.
Student protesters at Oberlin demanded tenure for virulent anti-Semite Joy Karega: https://t.co/jTmus5xgEK
— Daniel Friedman (@DanFriedman81) February 27, 2016
So there you have it, so far. An assistant professor who teaches “social justice writing courses” uses social media to blame Jews for 9/11, leading area Jewish groups to team with Oberlin to “foster positive dialogue” about anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, the tough guy in this scenario is the board of trustees, which has ordered a report in light of “possible action” against the professor.
https://twitter.com/Cameron_Gray/status/706948351024099330
Take an ugly peek into the anti-Semitic mind of one @oberlincollege professor @joykarega https://t.co/rxAugiAEa1 pic.twitter.com/1cNwFumEHF
— The Forward (@jdforward) March 4, 2016
If American students won't tolerate racist speakers on campus, will they organize a walkout of @oberlincollege prof Joy Karega's classes?
— John-Paul Pagano (@johnpaulpagano) March 6, 2016
I'm crowdsourcing this: Has anyone managed to find a single academic research paper that #joykarega has published? @oberlincollege
— David Hazony (@davidhazony) March 3, 2016
* * *
Update:
Uh oh …
Karega’s Not Alone: Email Sent to Oberlin Students Blames 9/11 on ‘Zionist Jews’ https://t.co/6EqqxlksLO
— AJC Advocacy (@AJCadvocacy) March 7, 2016
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