THE RISE OF HATE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

RISE OF HATE AT COLUMBIA

By: Derek Varsalona

People including students should always feel safe within their community, especially on their college campus.  Unfortunately, that is not the case at Columbia University.  A growing number of Jewish students do not feel safe walking around their campus or even attending classes in an in-class setting.  Some had to resort to going back home to feel safe, which is sad.

This week, classes are going to be held virtually at Columbia University.  This is because the students, especially Jewish students do not feel safe on their campus.  Everyone has the right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment.  Nobody has the right to assault someone or worse kill someone under the First Amendment since they feel that their freedom of speech was violated.

Students are now being asked to either stay home or attend classes online through their dorm rooms virtually.  This is going to hurt the student's college experience.  This reminds me of the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.  Protestors have the right to protest and express their grievances over the Palestine-Israel fight.  They do not have the right to assault or kill someone because they have political differences.  I thought America was better than this but I guess Americans do not learn to be accepting of differences.

We all should feel safe at work, on campus, or in the classroom.  No one should feel threatened in class or walk to class due to a political position. America has yet to learn the consequences.  As always comments accepted.

Columbia University
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Source: Chris Cann. “ Crisis at Columbia Forces Online Classes Amid Protest.” USA Today. New York City: Monday, April 22, 2024. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/22/columbia-university-pro-palestinian-protests-israel-updates/73409061007/