As events of the last year have shown so clearly, there is a lot of tension on American campuses (particularly at our “elite” institutions) between the value of freedom of speech and the dis-value of speech that’s loaded with hatred. On many campuses, antisemitism has been rampant, with vicious verbal attacks on Jews — even those who aren’t necessarily pro-Israel.
How should we resolve the tension? That’s the question University of Illinois professor Cary Nelson addresses in his book Hate Speech and Academic Freedom,which I review here for the Martin Center.
Nelson writes: “Antisemitism is on the rise worldwide and academia plays an important role in rationalizing its character and application, indeed in applauding and promoting antisemitism’s culture and political strategies.”
He is a defender of academic freedom and argues that faculty members should not be fired for false and incendiary speech against Israel and Jews, but says that we must not allow claims of “academic freedom” to shield such people from consequences. When pro-Hamas professors spout vicious falsehoods, it is perfectly reasonable to take their comments into account when considering them for faculty positions. The professor who uses social media to broadcast his or her hatred of Israel is probably not the kind of person you want in a school committed to civility and the pursuit of truth.
Nelson also argues that college leaders need to step in to say “no” to demands for academic boycotts and to stop the growth of antisemitism as official departmental positions.
My conclusion: “Hate Speech and Academic Freedom is a desperately needed book that reminds academic leaders that they’ve allowed their institutions to be overrun by people who turn them into propaganda organs. Every college president should read it, then pass it down the chain of command.”