Universities need teach-ins
The horrific complexity that is Gaza calls for teach-ins rather than protests. Amy Gutmann, former president of the University of Pennsylvania, says a university’s main goal is to graduate “students who can act in a well-informed way to benefit society,” and she’s right.
No doubt the protesters believe their actions can stop the torrent of casualties in the war between Hamas and the Israelis. Some shout pro-Palestinian slogans. Some accuse Israel of being a colonial occupier bent on genocide. Calls are heard to divest from investments linked to Israel. Some chants are clearly antisemitic since they call for the destruction of Israel.
It is obvious that some universities have not only failed to teach their students this region’s history but also have not taught them to temper impassioned rhetoric with logic. Colonial occupiers have mother countries. Israel does not. Defending one’s country from terrorists is not genocide.
Universities can model the intellectual rigor that demands considering all perspectives before proposing ethical solutions. Might that approach finally lead to a just peace in the Middle East?
Barbara Chiarello, Austin
Talk to Jewish students
Re: “At least this generation of UT students is trying,” by Anna Hanks, Friday Opinion.
As an alumna of the University of Texas, I remember the shantytowns on the West Mall. I probably still have my “Free Steve Biko” button. And I agree that student engagement is a healthy part of a college education. Where I differ from Hanks is in the statement, “Even if you don’t agree with what the students are doing now, the fact that they are doing it at all means that times have changed.”
Here’s the difference between our own anti-apartheid protests and the current disaster unfolding on college campuses: No one on campus back then was intimidated or threatened because of the actions of a government half a world away. Checking in with friends to see how their Jewish daughter was managing on campus, they sent a picture of her holding a sign in solidarity with the Israeli hostages. Only rather than the glee with which Hanks writes of these protesters, there was fear in her eyes. The emotional toll of these events and the threat of violence was palpable.
Next time Hanks is drawn back to campus, perhaps she should find some of the Jewish students and ask what they’ve seen and how they are holding up. Maybe it will temper some of her excitement about the current wave of student activism.
Nancy Israel, Dallas/Preston Hollow
Ask about Oct. 7
It would be interesting to see results of protesters’ responses to questions regarding the 1,200 deaths and 240 kidnappings of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Randy Martin, Allen
Free speech vs. gun rights
Students at Columbia, the University of Texas and other institutions of higher learning are exercising their First Amendment rights by assembling and speaking out about the U.S. participation in the massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza.
One thing stands out to me. The Second Amendment receives so much protection that tolerating the slaughter of schoolchildren, shoppers and people attending church is seen as an unfortunate but necessary cost of securing this freedom.
The campus protesters, on the other hand, are being arrested by the police and the “leaders” who activated these police riots are being praised. Where is the public outcry in defense of the First Amendment? Remember, the Bill of Rights was a package deal!
Scott Mashburn, Dallas/Merriman Park
Why UT asked for help
Re: “Overreacting to protest,” by Richard Street, April 28 Letters.
Street said everything he read said the University of Texas protests were peaceful. Apparently he did not read why Gov. Greg Abbott was asked to intervene by sending in police.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, a UT School of Law alum, raised those questions to UT President Jay Hartzell and UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken by text message on the day of the crackdown. As to why police were called in, Hartzell responded.
“We asked for help, Senator,” Hartzell replied. “They [protesters] indicated their desire to mimic what happened at Columbia and elsewhere, which we are doing our best to avoid for obvious reasons.”
Hartzell said “this group of protesters is a chapter of a national organization that has done this elsewhere.”
UT officials have defended their response, arguing they tried to break up the group because there were signs ahead of the rally it might get violent or engage in antisemitic behavior. When the protesters didn’t disperse, they were arrested on trespassing charges.
“They clearly intended to break our protest rules, despite our statements to them that we couldn’t allow them to do so,” he wrote. “I wish we weren’t in this situation.”
Beverly Walker, Fairview
Troopers an overreaction
My first thought when seeing University of Texas student protesters confronted by armed police was Kent State. Observers have reported that the protest was nonviolent. The response by Gov. Greg Abbott to send in state troopers seems an overreaction.
Perhaps the president of the university should have considered leaving his office and talking to the students. After all, UT celebrates a Free Speech Week. Ironic.
Also, Abbott signed a bill in 2019 to protect free speech on college campuses. Apparently he has had a change of heart.
Students need to feel they can peacefully protest. They need to feel they can be heard whether you agree with them or not.
Phyllis Vaughn, Sherman
Troopers were needed
Re: “Lines blur on issue of campus speech — Lawmakers flip position amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Texas,” April 27 news story.
Contrary to the headline, the lines of free speech absolutely are not blurred regarding these campus protests. Chanting “death to Israel,” “from the river to the sea” and voicing praise for Hamas, all of which are on display across all media platforms, is tantamount to shouting fire in a movie theater and cannot be justified or defended in a liberal democracy.
That at least one campus, the University of Southern California, is canceling its traditional graduation ceremony because of safety concerns should tell you that these protests are anything but the peaceful exercise of our First Amendment rights.
Kudos to Gov. Greg Abbott for calling in the state troopers and police before the protests could become as physically violent as the rhetoric portends.
John Riggs, Highland Park
Shame on Texas
Armed officers tackling unarmed students at the University of Texas in Austin is an image that will go down in history as one of the most embarrassing episodes the state has ever witnessed. To protest that Palestinians have the right to live is a noble gesture. It’s a gesture that should be commended.
Instead, these poor students were met with violence by those who are supposed to protect them. Shame on the UT administration. Shame on the state of Texas.
As a former UT student, I feel ashamed and proud. I am proud that my fellow Longhorns believe that Palestinian lives matter. I am ashamed that the administration believes that such voices should be silenced.
Huma Munir, Holly Springs, N.C.
What about funds to Hamas ?
On many college campuses, students and non-students are protesting America’s funding of Israel’s armament industries. Why don’t they take a more balanced approach and also protest Iran’s funding and support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi rebels? And Syria, which has murdered thousands of its own citizens?
Bob Krangle, Plano
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
