[Peace-discuss] Letter to the editor

Thu Apr 3 20:02:49 CDT 2008

David,
  Of course what you've outlined SHOULD be the case in open-to-the public events, regardless of the specifics -- i e what the issues are, who's on which side of the issue, how many are on each side of the issue ... but we all know that's not what happens in Real Life. In Real Life, a spokesperson for the majority (or one or two strong-willed vocal types who assume they're speaking for the majority) shouts down or otherwise intimidates (and ultimately silences) dissent. Whether it's Hillel, or e. g. a bar where customers have honked off the management, the question now is whether you/they have the right to attend open-to-the-public events that are in part covered by public funds (public tax dollars at work for police and fire protection, etc) if they choose to return, or whether the establishment has a legal right to deny entrance when the only "crime" was voicing a contradictary opinion.
   --Jenifer    

David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:
  At an event open to the public, there are no limitations on respectful sppech, period. There is no call for an intimidating atmosphere, period. It should be understood that students who patronize Hillel are free to speak their minds, period. It should be understood that such an atmosphere for them is emotionally harmful and intellectually stunting, period. It should be understood that when Hillel has community events, it should treat attendees respectfully, on the basis of rights and on the moral basis in terms of treatment of invited "outsiders," period. It should be understood that Hillel has no call to support any political doctrine or view in their role as "campus center for Jewish life," period. It should be understood that Jewish organizations like Hillel (and Jewish Federation, and Sinai Temple, and the Program for "Jewish Culture and Society" have been hijacked by a fascist mentality, period.

Jenifer Cartwright <jencart13 at yahoo.com> wrote:     David,
  Fwiw, I think you were right in EVERYTHING you did, including leaving -- unless you were going to charge somebody w/ assault. It was their gig (and venue), and (obviously) alternative points of view were neither wanted nor permitted. Awkward for your son but no protection for you, so I'd say check whether you have a legal right to be there before trying to enter in the future. 
  I hope yr letter gets published in both papers. 
   --Jenifer

David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:
    Yes. I Ieft before they arrived, since I was intimidated and afraid there would be charges. In fact, I should have called the police as soon as I was shouted down in order to assert my right to speak and put them on the defensive. I allowed myself to become involved in an altercation in which the context was clear, but the responsibility was not. Of course, they would never press charges against me. My son leads Friday night services at Hillel.

  DG

Marti Wilkinson <martiwilki at gmail.com> wrote:
  I have a question - were the police contacted at the time the confrontation occurred? 

  On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 9:10 AM, David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:
    This was sent to the N-G and DI:

  On April 1st David Makovsky, a Zionist think tanker, gave a half-hour public talk at Campus Hillel, which consisted of twisted invective against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, and self-promoting insider politics. He then entertained four non-controversial questions, responding to each with a rambling 10-minute answer. He decided to end after an hour and fifteen minutes of what had been announced as a two-hour event. There was no moderator to promote fair audience participation or civil discourse.
  At that point I interjected an alternative perspective regarding Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation. My comments were substantive and not personal. I was immediately shouted down, told to shut up, and told to leave by several members of the local Zionist element, including Professors Fred Gottheil and Ehud Yairi. A physical altercation subsequent to this event, not initiated by me, led to a visit to my house later that evening from a police officer, telling me that I was henceforth banned from Hillel.
  I was not aware that Hillel is a private residence owned by the Zionist element whose right is to determine who can speak and who must leave.  I was not aware that Jewish perspectives are limited to those that support Zionist militarism, racism, occupation, and apartheid. I am, however, aware that local institutional Jewish leadership of all types has facilitated an atmosphere of arrogance and condescension in response to opponents of Zionist bigotry. They are ultimately responsible for the repressive and intimidating atmosphere that pervades and corrupts the local Jewish community.
  David Green

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