IP: CUNY condemns professors

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Kobrin <KobrinS () wharton upenn edu>
> To: "Dave Farber (E-mail)" <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
> TRUSTEES OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK have drafted a
>    resolution condemning professors who criticized U.S. foreign
>    policy at a teach-in earlier this week. Matthew Goldstein,
>    the university's chancellor, also issued a statement saying
>    the professors had offered "lame excuses" to justify the
>    September 11 terrorist attacks.
>    --> SEE http://chronicle.com/free/2001/10/2001100502n.htm
>
> While some  comments about the events of September 11th have ignored the
> tragedy and just focused on perceived American responsibility, we either
> have the academic freedom to discuss this openly or we do not.  We are
> getting close to the point where any one who raises questions about American
> policy before September 11th is seen as providing support and comfort to the
> terrorists.  I have seen the term "fellow travelers" in use again.  Those of
> us of a certain age well remember a time when major American universities
> fired tenured faculty for wrong thinking, going to the wrong meetings or
> "fellow traveling."
>
> During most of the Cold War, perceived threats were abstract rather than
> real.  I suspect that most Americans were not continually concerned about a
> possible nuclear attack on their city. This time around the threat is very
> real and, in fact, we have been attacked.  The freedom to speak one's mind,
> and especially to voice unpopular opinions will be even harder to maintain
> in this current climate.  I fear that if we are not vigilant, we may well
> look back on HUAC as relatively benign.
>
> Stephen Kobrin



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