Shots In The Dark: Another Incident at Columbia

Friday, October 12, 2007

Another Incident at Columbia

Lee Bollinger sent this e-mail around 5:27 this afternoon:

Dear member of the Columbia community,

I am saddened to report that one of the bathrooms in Lewisohn Hall
was sullied with an anti-Semitic smear. It has been promptly
removed and is now being investigated.

I want to make two points. When words are the offender, as in this
incident, I am reluctant to draw attention to them and will
exercise restraint in doing so going forward. I do not want to
broadcast, in any way, the message they attempt to send or empower
those behind them. Despite the irrational, destructive hatred that
persists in our society and world, we do not accept this anywhere
at this University. No one among us should feel marginalized or
threatened by words of hatred. We are one community; and as one
community, we will overcome these hateful acts and hold each other
to the highest standards of respect for the dignity and diversity
of every individual.

In response to questions students have raised, I also want to
reassure you that we have utmost confidence in our Public Safety
officials and in the NYPD. Not only do they have well established
communications protocols in place when there is an immediate threat
of harm; they distinguish crimes that threaten our physical safety
from incidents like the one that occurred today.

Sincerely,

Lee C. Bollinger

¶ 12:21 AM

Comments:

It's odd that there are these two incidents at Columbia just a week after the controversy surrounding the invitation to the President of Iran. Could they be related in any way? and, is Bollinger's response consistent? Last week justifying the invitation to a leader who has openly espoused genocidal views and this week towards anonymous people expressing hatred. Does Columbia's stance last week embolden the perpetrators of this week's incident?

# posted by Anonymous : October 12, 2007 7:01 AM

"Despite the irrational, destructive hatred that
persists in our society and world, we do not accept this anywhere
at this University."

Right! We only invite those who voice that destructive hatred when their lobbying firms make us aware of the potential financial gain that can result from doing so.

# posted by Anonymous : October 12, 2007 7:06 AM

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