Authority Crisis When Protesters Rule

‘It’s more scared of you than you are of it.” That’s the advice we give children when they’re frightened by a creepy-crawly. Yet it seems this ordinary wisdom — remembering one’s relative size and strength — is easily forgotten by those in positions of authority.

Across the country, college campuses have seen appalling outbreaks of antisemitic rhetoric and disruption in the name of anti-Israel protests. Many of these protesters are violating their universities’ own codes of conduct. Even side-stepping the political controversy, most universities do not permit encampments on their lawns. So why are those in positions of leadership struggling to enforce their own policies?

About the Author

Madeleine Kearns

Madeleine Kearns is a former staff writer at National Review.

Featured Tags

‘It’s more scared of you than you are of it.” That’s the advice we give children when they’re frightened by a creepy-crawly. Yet it seems this ordinary wisdom — remembering one’s relative size and strength — is easily forgotten by those in positions of authority.

Across the country, college campuses have seen appalling outbreaks of antisemitic rhetoric and disruption in the name of anti-Israel protests. Many of these protesters are violating their universities’ own codes of conduct. Even side-stepping the political controversy, most universities do not permit encampments on their lawns. So why are those in positions of leadership struggling to enforce their own policies?