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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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guest column
Arthur M. Horwitz
Publisher / Executive Editor
ahorwitz@renmedia.us
Campus Anti-Semitism: Be Informed And Fight Back
F. Kevin Browett
Chief Operating Officer
kbrowett@renmedia.us
W
| Editorial
ith many of us
sending our chil-
dren off to college
soon, we must all be aware of a
painful truth: Some of our kids
will face anti-Semitic harassment
on their campuses. Last month,
AMCHA Initiative, a group that
Susan B.
documents campus anti-Semi-
Tuchman
tism, released a study showing
“an alarming spike in campus
anti-Semitism” in the first half of 2016.
There were almost 100 more anti-Semitic,
Israel-bashing incidents during the first six
months of 2016 as compared to the first six
months of 2015.
These findings are alarming, but rather
than overwhelm us, they should inspire us
to action. The community should demand
that college officials finally recognize that
campus anti-Semitism is a serious problem
they must effectively address, in the same
forceful way they respond — as they should
— when African American, women and
gay students are targeted.
We see college officials displaying an
unacceptable double standard, vigorously
responding when other groups are attacked,
yet tolerating and even ignoring racism
against Jewish students.
For example, last year, fraternity mem-
bers at the University of Oklahoma were
caught on videotape chanting the “n” word
and referring to lynching. The uni-
versity president wasted no time
in expelling two fraternity leaders,
disciplining more than 20 other stu-
dents and shutting down the entire
fraternity — even though not every-
one had been involved — because
the racist chanting created a hostile
learning environment for others.
Contrast that response with how
the University of Michigan respond-
ed when an anti-Israel campus group spon-
sored a divestment resolution in 2014, and
the group’s supporters harassed and intimi-
dated the resolution’s opponents. Students
were reportedly cursed at, threatened and
called “kike” and “dirty Jew” simply because
they exercised their right to challenge an
organized effort to harm the Jewish state.
One student described the campus environ-
ment as “frightening,” with some afraid to
go to class because they felt unsafe.
Despite the hostile environment for
Jewish students, officials failed to take any
remedial steps, not even publicly condemn-
ing ugly, hateful conduct that made some
feel unwelcome and unsafe.
The administration failed to protect
Jewish students again last year. When
the same group constructed a huge anti-
Israel display in the center of the campus,
a Jewish student approached them and
respectfully expressed concern about the
timing and appropriateness of the display.
Two terrorist attacks had occurred in Israel
that very day, killing, among others, Ezra
Schwartz, a Jewish American doing a “gap
year” in Israel. Instead of showing under-
standing, the anti-Israel group retaliated
against the Jewish student, falsely accusing
him of ethics violations and calling for his
removal from student government.
The administration said and did nothing
to protect the Jewish student and his legal
right to challenge anti-Israel conduct, send-
ing the message to him and every other
Jewish student that they could be targeted
by Israel-bashers and could not count on
the administration to intervene.
These troubling examples are not unique
to the University of Michigan. They must
motivate all of us to demand that college
leaders finally take the harassment of
Jewish students as seriously as they take the
harassment of other targeted groups. We
must not tolerate the exercise of a double
standard anymore. University leaders must
start making it crystal clear that Jewish and
pro-Israel students have the same right to a
safe and welcoming learning environment
as everyone else and that anyone who vio-
lates this right will be held accountable.
*
Susan B. Tuchman is director of the Center for Law
and Justice at Zionist Organization of America.
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What Every Parent And Student Should
Know Before Returning To School
T
he return of the school year always
brings about both nerves and
excitement. Memorizing sched-
ules, buying books, meeting roommates
and unpacking boxes, it is an adventure-
some time for both students and their
parents. As Michigan parents get ready to
send their kids off to school in the com-
ing weeks, I can’t help but remember my
daughter Emily.
Emily was a 19-year-
old sophomore at
Kalamazoo College
studying psychology and
theater. One night in
January, she called me
complaining of a slight
headache. I suggested
she take some Motrin
Alicia Stillman
| Departments
and let me know how she felt in
the morning. That next morning,
I received a phone call from the
hospital and, by the time I met her
there, she’d slipped into a coma.
Emily had contracted meningo-
Emily Stillman
coccal disease and was going into
surgery.
and utter devastation her parents are feel-
Emily had been vaccinated for meningi-
ing from this loss. That is why I strive to
tis, but had never been vaccinated against
make Emily’s legacy known — to prevent
meningitis B — at the time, the meningitis
others from having to experience the pain
B vaccine was not even available in the
of losing a child.
United States — and was not protected.
For many young people starting col-
Meningitis B took her life on Feb. 2, 2013.
lege, it’s the first time they have ever lived
These memories flooded back last
away from home and shared a room.
month when news broke about the
Sharing becomes a way of life on cam-
death of a 21-year-old Central Michigan
pus, whether it’s notes from class, a water
University student who contracted bacte-
bottle, midnight snacks or simply living
rial meningitis. I understand the anguish
space. Unfortunately, something else that
continued on page 11
6 August 25 • 2016
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