Baraka’s hate unwelcome here

Breeze Reader’s View

JMU has a long-standing tradition of promoting multiculturalism. As an organization that represents minority students at JMU and actively works with Center for Multicultural/International Student Services organizations to promote multicultural understanding and tolerance, Hillel applauds JMU’s sponsorship of the Furious Flower II Poetry Conference.

However, JMU has another crucial long-standing tradition: upholding the highest standards of intellectual rigor and honesty in academic scholarship and discussion. Inviting Amiri Baraka, who consistently has repeated racist, misogynist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic rhetoric without provocation, to speak at JMU, belies our proud tradition.

For over 40 years, Baraka has used his rhetoric to promote anti-Semitic and anti-Israel propaganda, racist fallacies and falsehoods, and homophobic slandering and scare tactics. We are not alone in our concerns — Baraka was removed from his position of Poet Laureate of New Jersey by the governor and legislature of the state in 2002.

At the same time, we are not poetry critics, nor do we purport to be. Our concern is rooted in Mr. Baraka’s unquestionable and documented history of hateful rhetoric in his public appearances.

Regarding whites’ role in the Civil Rights Movement, Baraka tells this anecdote: "A woman asked me in all earnestness ‘couldn’t any whites help?’ I said, ‘You can help by dying. You are a cancer. You can help the world’s people with your death.’"

Baraka’s contribution to poetry is substantial, but his contribution does not excuse over 40 years of hate speech. JMU should not provide such a forum for this man and his views. As members of the JMU community, we have a duty to ensure that the values JMU represents are upheld. Baraka has a right to express his opinions, no matter how outrageous and offensive they may be. But as members of the JMU community, we are entrusted with the duty to ensure that our university makes well-informed decisions. He may speak, but he should not be invited to speak at JMU. We steadfastly believe in Baraka’s first amendment rights, but there is a clear difference between an open forum sponsored by JMU and his legal rights to speak in public.

Baraka’s history of hateful speech has no place at JMU. Hillel only has strived to better inform our peers, administration and community, as the best decision is always well-informed. Furthermore, let no mistake be made, this is not a Jewish issue. This is a people issue – an issue that affects each one of us, no matter our background. Mr. Baraka is an equal opportunity offender and fails to draw any hierarchical depth when espousing fallacies and falsehoods.

A university, especially a respected institution such as JMU, should do everything in its power to promote understanding, unity and education, and not to encourage hatred, misinformation and disharmony. It is said that actions speak louder than words. If JMU provides Baraka with another forum to espouse his hateful views, does that action reflect the principles and values for which JMU is known and respected?

Dan Teweles is a junior philosophy and religion and political science major and president of Hillel.
Jacob Forstater is a sophomore physics major and publicity director of Hillel..