Brandeis Repudiates Racist Alum, Martin Peretz
He's a little old to lose his BA from Brandeis. Nonetheless, it is still good that Brandeis students are organizing against the most prominent Brandeis-associated racist.
Brandeis, where Eleanor Roosevelt was both a trustee and a faculty member and which was the national headquarters for the 1970 student mobilization against the Viet war is a Jewish-sponsored university, proud of is liberalism and its Jewish values (you know real Jewish values, the ones from the Prophets not the neocons).
In lining up against Peretz, Brandeis students of today indicate that they are at one with their traditions.
Too bad Brandeis grad, Abbie Hoffmann, is not around. He would both do a great job organizing this effort and smearing Peretz with an ephitet Peretz has earned a hundred times over: shanda fur de goyim.
That is what Hoffman shouted from the defendants' dock at the judge conducting the trial of the Chicago 7 antiwar protesters. The phrase refers to a Jew who makes other Jews cringe and delights anti-Semites everywhere.
That's Peretz.
Text of Brandeis response follows:
Marty Peretz is a famous Brandeis Alum, and the editor-in-chief of the New Republic. He recently wrote a column with this disturbing conclusion:
But, frankly, Muslim life is cheap, most notably to Muslims. And among those Muslims led by the Imam Rauf there is hardly one who has raised a fuss about the routine and random bloodshed that defines their brotherhood. So, yes, I wonder whether I need honor these people and pretend that they are worthy of the privileges of the First Amendment which I have in my gut the sense that they will abuse.
This is the collective response of the Brandeis community
Please co-sign the letter if you are a Brandeis community member:
From the Brandeis Community:
Dear Marty Peretz '59,
Your recent remarks are appalling, and do not reflect the values of the broader Brandeis community.
Recently, in your September 4th column, you claimed that Muslims don't value human life, that they are soft on terrorism, and that you wish to strip them of their First Amendment Rights.
That was unacceptable, irresponsible, and wrong.
Mr. Peretz, your name and likeness is used in our admissions materials, the University lists you among its most prestigious alumni, and not two years ago you accepted a Distinguished Alumni award from us. For better or worse, your actions reflect on us.
Brandeis University stands for love, not hate. Brandeis stands for respecting the truth. Brandeis stands for recognizing the humanity in others. We value our Muslim community members here; they are part of our broad family.
If nothing else, this University was founded to fight back against discrimination, bigotry, and fear of minorities.
Attacking people's First Amendment rights is un-American, un-Brandeisian, and unethical. You're hurting us. You're hurting our Islamic community members, our pride in you, and our good name.
We, the united Brandeis community, respectfully and firmly demand you apologize.
