Latest news with #BarnardCollege
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Jewish Students Punished in the Name of Jewish Safety
'I sat in that hearing, and I sobbed.' C, a Jewish senior at Columbia University's Barnard College, said she found out she had to attend a disciplinary hearing two days before her senior thesis was due. She was being called in, she was told, because she attended a demonstration earlier in the semester and because she had, a few weeks later, chained herself to a campus gate. (As she and other Jewish students have been doxed for their participation in pro-Palestine protests, I am not using her real name in this piece.) The demonstration she and several other Jewish students attended was a protest of the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian green card holder, recent Columbia graduate, and her friend, by ICE. She and several other Jewish students had chained themselves to a campus gate demanding to know 'the names of the Columbia trustees who facilitated the abduction of our beloved friend by collaborating with the Trump administration.' She and her fellow Jewish students had felt that, 'as Jewish students, we were the only ones who could do this safely,' she told me, 'AND send a message: This does not keep us safe.' Weeks later, she was in a disciplinary hearing, trying to explain to a conduct officer what had happened. 'My friend was abducted. My university was complicit. This was done in the name of the religion I love and care about.' 'I didn't expect to break down that much,' she told me. Her degree conferral has been deferred until October. Hers is one of several similar cases: Jewish students disciplined by a university that has said, publicly and repeatedly, that it is attempting to demonstrate that it takes Jewish safety seriously. She was able to walk at graduation, she said, even though the administration was withholding her degree. But the victory, such as it was, was a hollow one. 'I just felt so angry at my commencement, and I feel sad because I worked so hard for four years. I wanted to feel good and proud. And I just couldn't feel anything but frustration and anger.' 'I think it's both highly problematic and unfortunate,' James Piacentini, a Jewish adjunct assistant professor in urban planning and architecture at Columbia, told me, 'that the university and school administrators have become so warped in their thinking that they're purporting to believe that undermining free expression of Jewish students is somehow combating antisemitism on campus.'Barnard is not the only college—and Columbia not the only university—to use graduation and the awarding of a degree as a way to push back against students protesting for Palestinian rights. The universities say it is a matter of enforcing rules; their critics, that they are chilling speech. The backdrop to all of this is, of course, the Trump administration, which is threatening to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars from a number of universities, including Columbia, if they do not do what the administration tells them to in order to 'fight antisemitism.' This series of demands includes turning over a university's academic independence to the federal administration (Columbia has tried to acquiesce; Harvard is tied up in court). And so, with millions intended for scientific research hanging in the balance, ostensibly for the good of Jewish students, universities entered graduation season locked in an existential battle and firmly under the national spotlight. The universities say that they are upholding their own rules and policies and keeping campus safe for all. New York University decided to withhold the diploma of a student speaker, Logan Rozos, who delivered an unapproved graduation speech on 'the atrocities currently happening in Palestine' that quickly went viral. 'He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules,' an NYU spokesperson said in a statement. 'NYU is deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.' George Washington University, meanwhile, announced an investigation after commencement speaker Cecilia Culver delivered a speech, also different from the one she submitted, encouraging her peers not to donate to the university until it divests from Israel. Culver (and the dean who followed her and thanked her for sharing her perspective) were denounced by some for antisemitism; Culver has since 'been barred from all GW's campuses and sponsored events elsewhere,' per the university. Barnard, for its part, insisted in a statement that 'no students were disciplined or had their degrees deferred as a response to the content of their speech or expression.' Instead, 'disciplinary measures were taken in response to vandalism, course disruption, and other actions that violated Barnard's Student Code of Conduct and interfered with the core academic mission of the college.' Others see the response of these colleges and universities as little more than a scare tactic meant to chill free speech. 'The College is using degree deferral to scare students into silence,' Debbie Becher, an associate professor of sociology at Barnard, who is Jewish, said in an email. 'It accomplishes what the administration wants: a show of force with no regard for due process. There is no warrant for this. The College has the power to revoke a degree, so it could wait until due process has been followed. Instead, it chose to impose a punishment before the process.' I put to Becher that some would say that rules were indeed broken and that there should be consequences when policies are not adhered to. 'There needs to be a sound conduct process for breaking rules; this would include judgment by peers, transparency, accountability, reasonable sanctions, and protection of student rights. Barnard has none of this,' she replied. There's just centralized power and harsh punishment. Piacentini also suggested that people take more extreme action when other, arguably milder forms of protest have been taken from them. Perhaps if Jewish and non-Jewish pro-Palestinian groups weren't kicked off campus, he said, 'other forms of protest might not be necessary.' But they were, and so 'people are putting their ideas, their bodies on the line because other mechanisms have been taken away from them.' H, a Jewish recent graduate of Barnard who was also disciplined for chaining herself to the gate, said that the administration talks 'about wanting to build community.' 'I have tried to do that,' she continued. 'The university has made that difficult at every turn.' She tried to organize Shabbat gatherings for Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist Jewish group. 'But the university suspended the club.' She felt that it was difficult to be Jewish on campus—because her administration 'has decided that we are not.'Jewish students are not the only, or even primary, individuals caught up in crackdowns against pro-Palestinian speech and criticism (including often harsh criticism) of Israel. After all, the reason C chained herself to the gate, she said, is that she thought she'd be safer than many of her peers. In our conversation, she repeatedly stressed that her Palestinian and Arab peers in particular are 'subjected to worse' than what she faces as a Jewish student. Piacentini too made clear that Jews are not the most impacted by policies that challenge pro-Palestinian speech and protest—many others are 'more at risk than we are.' There are dramatic examples of that risk: Khalil is still detained. Palestinian Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi was also arrested and detained (though he has been released and was able to walk at graduation). H noted that her own discipline was essentially 'an art project'—she had to write an essay with visual accompaniment about how to properly register events on campus. She believes that, if she were not a white Jewish student, her punishment would have been worse. Still, as Becher put it, 'the punishment of Jewish students for these protests reveals the hypocrisy of the claim that the college or federal administration wants to protect us. The punishment of Jewish students instead betrays a disregard for their safety.' The administrations at Barnard and Columbia alike, she added, have 'ignored Jewish students, scholars, and community members who have told them repeatedly that they must adopt a definition of antisemitism as hatred against Jews for being Jews, not a definition that connects Jewish identity to Israel. The definition of hatred against Jews for being Jews would lead to policies that actually defend Jewish safety.' There are, after all, many types of Jewish students at Barnard, and Columbia, and every campus: students who relate differently to Israel and Palestine and Zionism and anti-Zionism and Jewish institutions of various stripes. (Studies suggest that the majority are neither agitating for Zionism and Israel nor for Palestine.) Piacentini said that, while he considers himself anti-Zionist, even Jewish colleagues and students who don't but are critical of Israel's war feel 'primarily threatened and targeted by people with power who claim to be trying to protect us from antisemitism.' Listening to C, I thought of how Jewish students should have the right to go to class and extracurriculars and parties and protests and feel safe. I thought about that as I listened to her tell me how she and her fellow Jewish students had been doxed and harassed and accused by a Jewish faculty member of being not dissimilar to the Judenrat, councils that acted as go-betweens for the Nazis and Jewish communities. I listened as she talked about trying to finish her senior thesis, crying in her disciplinary hearing, and attending musical theater class while worrying about her friend Mahmoud, sitting in a prison in Louisiana. Was the point of all of this to make sure that Jewish students can learn safely? So they can focus on being students? If the education of Jewish students had been disrupted on campus, who had disrupted it? C told me that she had chosen Barnard because 'I wanted to be around people who would encourage me to stand up for what I believe in.' And she loved so much of her experience. But in the end, she said, she felt her identity and beliefs—those of an anti-Zionist Jewish student—were ignored. 'If it wasn't so dangerous and sad, it would be bordering on a farce,' said Piacentini. ''The best way to protect Jewish students is to silence them, arrest them, and take away their degrees.' How can you say that out loud and not hear you're wrong?'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jet Li's youngest daughter graduates college
27 May - Jet Li is elated to announce that his youngest daughter Jada has now graduated from college. The martial arts star is one happy dad in his recent Weibo post on 25 May. The actor posted several photos of him attending the graduation ceremony held at the liberal arts college, Barnard college alongside his eldest daughter Jane to witness Jada's graduation. He wrote, "All four of my daughters have now graduated from university! As for their old dad, I'm at the bottom. I don't even have a primary school diploma." "But this is the proudest moment of my life. Please allow me to brag a little. After more than ten years of hard work, I can finally free to fulfil my own dreams. Congratulations to my youngest daughter, Jada, on her college graduation!" It is noted that aside from Jane and Jada from his marriage with actress Nina Li Chi, he is also a father to daughters Si and Taimi from his previous marriage to Huang Qiuyan, his Beijing Wushu team member. (Photo Source: Jet Li Weibo)
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Jet Li on youngest daughter's graduation: 'Highlight of my life'
NEW YORK: Screen martial arts legend Jet Li was recently in New York for his youngest daughter Jada's graduation ceremony. The Straits Times reported yesterday that Li, 62, has been married to former actress Nina Li Chi, 63, since 1999. They have two daughters, Jane, 25, and Jada, 22. Li also has two older daughters, Li Si and Li Taimi, from a previous marriage to former actress Huang Qiuyan. On May 25, Li posted on Weibo: "All my four daughters have graduated from college. I am at the bottom of the pile as I do not even have a primary school certificate. Please allow me to brag a little, as this is the highlight of my life." The China-born Singaporean actor shared photos of himself with Jane and Jada, as well as a separate photo with Jada. "She is finally free to pursue her dreams after more than 10 years of hard work," Li added. "Congratulations to my youngest daughter, Jada, for graduating from college." According to various Chinese-language media outlets, all four of his daughters pursued their tertiary education in the United States. Jada graduated from Barnard College, while Jane is a Harvard University alumna. Earlier in May, Li revealed in a Weibo post that his second daughter, Taimi, is an ophthalmologist. While in New York, the actor also took the opportunity to tour the city. "My daughter accompanied me to take the subway and visit Central Park," he wrote on Weibo. "We ate some frankfurters. I relaxed for a while and told myself that this kind of ordinary day is so carefree." Li, whose last film role was in the 2020 Hollywood live-action movie Mulan, also posted photos of himself signing autographs and posing with fans upon returning to his hotel. "Thank you for still supporting me after so many years," he wrote.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘Highlight of my life': Actor Jet Li's youngest daughter Jada graduates from college
Movie star Jet Li was in New York recently to attend his youngest daughter Jada's graduation ceremony. The 62-year-old has been married to former actress Nina Li Chi, 63, since 1999 and they have two daughters – Jane, 25, and Jada, 22. He has two older daughters - Li Si and Li Taimi - from an earlier marriage to former actress Huang Qiuyan. 'All my four daughters have graduated from college,' Jet Li wrote in Chinese on May 25. 'I am at the bottom of the pile as I do not even have a primary school certificate. Please allow me to brag a little as this is the highlight of my life.' The China-born Singapore actor shared photos of himself with both Jane and Jada, as well as one photo with Jada. 'She is finally free to pursue her dreams after more than 10 years of hard work,' Li added. 'Congratulations to my youngest daughter, Jada, for graduating from college.' According to various Chinese-language media outlets, his four daughters received their tertiary education in the United States. Jada is graduating from Barnard College, while Jane is a graduate of Harvard University. Li revealed in a Weibo post earlier in May that his second daughter Li Taimi is an ophthalmologist. Jet Li (left) shares a photo with his daughter Jada. PHOTO: JET LI/WEIBO The actor also took the opportunity to tour New York while he was in the city. 'My daughter accompanied me to take the subway and visit Central Park,' he wrote on Weibo on May 24. 'We ate hot dogs when we were hungry. I relaxed for a while and told myself that this kind of ordinary day is so carefree .' Jet Li, whose last movie role was in the Hollywood live-action film Mulan (2020), also shared photos of him signing autographs and posing with fans when he returned to the hotel. 'Thank you for still supporting me after so many years,' he wrote, expressing his appreciation for the fans who queued outside the hotel during a rainy day. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hype Malaysia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Jet Li Visits NY For Daughter's Graduation; Gets Surrounded By Fans In Front Of Hotel
While Chinese star Jet Li (李连杰) hasn't been in movies lately, he's still an icon in the cinema world. While in New York for his daughter's graduation, the martial arts actor caused a commotion in front of his hotel because of his fans. According to news outlets, Jet Li was recently in New York to attend his daughter Jada's graduation from Barnard College. While in the city, the martial artist played tourist with his eldest daughter, Jane. In a Weibo post from 24th May (Saturday), Jet Li said the two spent the day strolling around Central Park and eating hot dogs. The actor said his day was relaxing, adding, 'I thought to myself, this kind of ordinary day is so comfortable'. However, Jet Li's relaxing day took a turn when he returned to the hotel. As it turned out, fans heard that the cinema icon was in the city and gathered in front of his accommodation to hopefully meet him. The actor quipped that he was stuck at the hotel door, likely busy signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans. Thankfully, Jet Li didn't seem too bothered by the crowd, even thanking them for their support and waiting for him in the rain. The devoted father also shared another post on his daughter's graduation ceremony. The star expressed pride in his children, saying, 'All four of my daughters have graduated from college!' He then joked about his lack of credentials, quipping that he doesn't even have an elementary school diploma. However, he said that seeing the last of his daughters graduate is the highlight of his life. For those wondering, Jet Li has four daughters from two marriages. His two oldest, Si and Taimi, are from his previous marriage with Huang Qiuyan. Meanwhile, his two younger daughters, Jane and Jada, are from his marriage to actress Nina Li Chi, whom he is still married to. His second daughter, Taimi, now works as an ophthalmologist, while his third daughter, Jane, is a Harvard graduate. From what we know about his daughters, it's no surprise that Jet Li is a proud father. We hope to see more good news about the actor and his children in the future. Sources: Weibo (1)(2)
