Fools on the Hill
In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen.
In Thy light we see light: Columbia University’s motto. That was then, as they say.
Let Michelle Malkin update you (continually) on the story’s development. I went to Columbia back in the 70s and 80s.
I can’t say what it’s like now, but Columbia was a very Jewish school back then. The seed of what has become its very troublesome Middle East Studies department existed then only as one Edward Said (but what a demon seed!). I never took a course with him, but the scuttlebutt was that he enjoyed taunting the Jewish students.
Of course, Columbia once had a quota to limit the number of Jews in the student body. I can’t say they’ve gone that far today, but you don’t have to be Jewish to feel the university is taunting you.
The Minutemen get run off the campus, Jeane Kirkpatrick, a distinguished alumna of Columbia’s Barnard College, is disinvited to speak—and did I mention that troublesome Middle East Institute?
It’s quite clear that not all views are welcome on campus. So it’s fair to ask why certain ones are. Columbia should be honest enough to acknowledge that their record speaks shamefully of them—but they won’t.
Honesty—and illumination—are no longer valued on Morningside Heights.
I went to Columbia on a scholarship, and have felt an obligation to contribute back to the university ever since I started working. But I haven’t for a few years now. I politely explain why to the kids on the phone, who call during the dinner hour asking for contributions; I write a note in the margins of the fundraising letters which I return without a check. I hope my message gets through, and that it’s not alone. I expect it won’t be now.
Am I limiting free speech by witholding my contributions? Maybe. But money talks on college campuses, even if illustrious conservative graduates can’t.
Nikol said,
September 25, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
What do you think of Obadiah Shoher’s extensive reply to Ed Said at http://samsonblinded.org/titles/edward_said_end_peace_process.htm ?