Stand Up for Academic Freedom; Support Joel Kovel
Target:
The Bard Administration
Sponsored by:
We, the undersigned, protest the decision of Bard College to terminate Professor Joel Kovel's contract, after 21 years, and reject the college's interpretation that this was solely for financial reasons. We believe the record to show a pattern of prejudice based on hostility to Professor Kovel's criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel. (For Kovel's full statement and chronology of events visit codz.org). The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has expressed "concern that [Bard's] decision to terminate Joel Kovel's appointment as Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College may have been, at least in part, politically motivated. [This would] constitute a serious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a threat to all teachers and students who exercise their right to teach about, and speak out publicly on, controversial issues, including Zionism and Israel." We join with MESA and many people across the world to demand that the Bard administration re-evaluate Joel Kovel's professorship under fair and just conditions.
Thank you,
The undersigned.
Thank you,
The undersigned.
We, the undersigned, protest the decision of Bard College to terminate Professor Joel Kovel's contract, after 21 years, and reject the college's interpretation that this was solely for financial reasons. We believe the record to show a pattern of prejudice based on hostility to Professor Kovel's criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel. (For Kovel's full statement and chronology of events visit codz.org). The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has expressed "concern that [Bard's] decision to terminate Joel Kovel's appointment as Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College may have been, at least in part, politically motivated. [This would] constitute a serious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a threat to all teachers and students who exercise their right to teach about, and speak out publicly on, controversial issues, including Zionism and Israel." We join with MESA and many people across the world to demand that the Bard administration re-evaluate Joel Kovel's professorship under fair and just conditions.
Thank you,
The undersigned.
Thank you,
The undersigned.
We, the undersigned, protest the decision of Bard College to terminate Professor Joel Kovel's contract, and reject the college's interpretation that this was solely for financial reasons. We believe the record to show a pattern of prejudice based on hostility to Professor Kovel's criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel. (For Kovel's full statement and chronology of events visit codz.org). The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has expressed "concern that [Bard's] decision to terminate Joel Kovel's appointment as Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College may have been, at least in part, politically motivated. [This would] constitute a serious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a threat to all teachers and students who exercise their right to teach about, and speak out publicly on, controversial issues, including Zionism and Israel." We join with MESA and many people across the world to demand that the Bard administration re-evaluate Joel Kovel's professorship under fair and just conditions.
Thank you.
Thank you.
We signed the "Stand Up for Academic Freedom; Support Joel Kovel" petition!
# 625:
7:25 am PDT, Jun 3,
John Renehan, Australia
I am appalled. I implore people to join a solidarity group and fight this injustice which undermines us.
I am appalled. I implore people to join a solidarity group and fight this injustice which undermines us.
# 624:
4:44 am PDT, Jun 1,
Sörensen Peter, Belgium
# 623:
8:11 am PDT, May 25,
Joanne Wiedman, New Jersey
# 622:
7:17 am PDT, May 23,
David MacKay, United Kingdom
Zionism is racism. Israel is based on the idea of ethnic cleansing. Israel is a beach-head of imperialism. Jews and Palestinians are cousins who should be able to live together in a single non-theocratic state. The two-state solution is not a solution, but an insult.
Zionism is racism. Israel is based on the idea of ethnic cleansing. Israel is a beach-head of imperialism. Jews and Palestinians are cousins who should be able to live together in a single non-theocratic state. The two-state solution is not a solution, but an insult.
# 621:
6:27 am PDT, May 20,
Anita Rosenblithe, New York
# 620:
11:32 am PDT, May 12,
Name not displayed, New York
# 619:
1:01 am PDT, May 7,
Ari R. Kolman, Canada
I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. How dare the voice of the people be shut down.
I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. How dare the voice of the people be shut down.
# 618:
4:41 pm PDT, May 3,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 617:
3:16 am PDT, May 1,
Adrian Wilding, United Kingdom
# 616:
9:16 am PDT, Apr 30,
Charles Mulholland, Connecticut
# 615:
7:06 pm PDT, Apr 28,
Juliet Ucelli, New York
# 614:
8:53 am PDT, Apr 27,
L Whitworth, United Kingdom
Best wishes to all those closely associated with the fight to achieve Professor Kovel's reinstatement.
Best wishes to all those closely associated with the fight to achieve Professor Kovel's reinstatement.
# 613:
8:13 pm PDT, Apr 25,
Noah De Lissovoy, Texas
# 612:
7:16 am PDT, Apr 20,
John Berg, Massachusetts
# 611:
5:55 am PDT, Apr 20,
Dara Silverman, New York
# 610:
5:16 pm PDT, Apr 19,
Margaret Crane, New York
# 609:
2:11 pm PDT, Apr 15,
John Hull, California
# 608:
3:58 pm PDT, Apr 13,
Name not displayed, Indiana
Bard College now shares something in common with the former USSR, China, and other totalitarian regimes: the suppression of political dissent.
Bard College now shares something in common with the former USSR, China, and other totalitarian regimes: the suppression of political dissent.
# 607:
5:41 pm PDT, Apr 12,
Terry Weber, New York
What are you teaching your students?
What are you teaching your students?
# 606:
6:00 pm PDT, Apr 11,
David Glass, New York
I have heard Joel Kovel speak on many panels and forums over the years, and have always found him to be both scholarly and a dedicated activist. Bard College should be supporting academic freedom, not trying to distance itself from a dissenting voice on these controversial issues.
I have heard Joel Kovel speak on many panels and forums over the years, and have always found him to be both scholarly and a dedicated activist. Bard College should be supporting academic freedom, not trying to distance itself from a dissenting voice on these controversial issues.
# 605:
10:53 am PDT, Apr 11,
Carole Lapidus, New York
Academic freedom,the hallmark of democracy,is threatened with the dismissal of Joel Kovel. As a Jew I am repeatedly shocked by the behavior of the Israeli government policies towards Palestinians.If violence were the key to peace,there would have been peace in the area years ago.Joel has had the courage to write about the views of American Jews who believe that the Israeli government,with the help of the United States,is making the possibility of a two state solution impossible.
Academic freedom,the hallmark of democracy,is threatened with the dismissal of Joel Kovel. As a Jew I am repeatedly shocked by the behavior of the Israeli government policies towards Palestinians.If violence were the key to peace,there would have been peace in the area years ago.Joel has had the courage to write about the views of American Jews who believe that the Israeli government,with the help of the United States,is making the possibility of a two state solution impossible.
# 604:
8:25 am PDT, Apr 11,
Henry Kahn, Georgia
I have met Dr. Kovel, read many of his works, and feel strongly that he contributes powerfully to the discourse about culture, peace, and intellectual history. His writings have given me hope for the compassionate future we all desire. Although I live and work in Georgia (Emeritus Professor at Emory University), I am a native of Dutchess County, NY, where I grew up in Poughkeepsie's small Jewish community. My long admiration for Bard College has been anchored by its intellectual openness and the breadth of viewpoints and lifestyles expressed on its campus. Dr. Kovel has been a major part of Bard's gift to Dutchess County and the world. Please do not let him go.
I have met Dr. Kovel, read many of his works, and feel strongly that he contributes powerfully to the discourse about culture, peace, and intellectual history. His writings have given me hope for the compassionate future we all desire. Although I live and work in Georgia (Emeritus Professor at Emory University), I am a native of Dutchess County, NY, where I grew up in Poughkeepsie's small Jewish community. My long admiration for Bard College has been anchored by its intellectual openness and the breadth of viewpoints and lifestyles expressed on its campus. Dr. Kovel has been a major part of Bard's gift to Dutchess County and the world. Please do not let him go.
# 603:
4:57 pm PDT, Apr 10,
Wayne Price, New York
Over the years I have read most of Dr. Kovel's writings and have always found them to be interesting and inspiring. For Bard to lose such a scholar because some people dislike his politics (which have always been openly and fairly argued) is a disgrace.
Over the years I have read most of Dr. Kovel's writings and have always found them to be interesting and inspiring. For Bard to lose such a scholar because some people dislike his politics (which have always been openly and fairly argued) is a disgrace.
# 602:
10:53 am PDT, Apr 10,
Russell Rockwell, New York
# 601:
7:55 am PDT, Apr 10,
Karen Johnson, Missouri
Please, don't stifle free and open dialgoue on important international matters that affect us all by firing those who dare to go against the powerful.
Please, don't stifle free and open dialgoue on important international matters that affect us all by firing those who dare to go against the powerful.
