SPME
Dear Chairman Reynolds and Members of the Commission,
I write to you on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of
North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom (CAF) to
express our grave concern with aspects both of the briefing report
titled "Campus Anti-Semitism," released by the United States
Commission on Civil Rights earlier this year, and of the "Findings and
Recommendations of the United States Commission on Civil Rights
Regarding Campus Anti-Semitism," dated April 3, 2006.
MESA rejects all forms of hate speech and discrimination, including
anti-Semitism. It supports prompt and forceful action in response to
anti-Semitic incidents on university campuses. MESA also endorses the
Commission's efforts to increase awareness of anti-Semitism on
university campuses.
However, MESA is concerned that the briefing report and findings
issued by the Commission may actually weaken efforts to combat
anti-Semitism by expanding its definition to include an indefensibly
broad range of legitimate speech and conduct. We are also concerned
that false allegations associating Middle East studies programs and
faculty with anti-Semitism may contribute to an already troubling
environment of harassment, intimidation and censorship of faculty and
students on college and university campuses, thereby threatening
academic freedom. ...
Also see:
US Commission on Civil Rights, "Public Education Campaign to End
Campus Anti-Semitism":
"Ending Campus Anti-Semitism Public Education Web Site to be Launched
By U.S. Commission on Civil Rights," Media Advisory (10 April 2007):
"USCCR Report Examines Incidents of Campus Anti-Semitism," Media
Advisory (15 August 2006):
"USCCR to Call for End to Anti-Semitic Harassment," Media Advisory (27
March 2006):
"Findings and Recommendations of the United States Commission on Civil
Rights Regarding Campus Anti-Semitism" (3 April 2006):
"Campus Anti-Semitism" (18 November 2005):
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