Dispatch from Columbia University

To: Retort
From: RE

Comrades:
Since Thursday of last week a group of Columbia students has staged a hunger strike to protest an array of university policies and out of exasperation at the university's lack of response to prior methods of dissent - petitions, demonstrations, etc.

The strikers' demands center around two main issues. The first is Columbia's proposed expansion into the Harlem neighborhood, a move that will lead to the displacement of many neighborhood businesses and residents. Throughout Columbia's "negotiations" with the Harlem residents, they have threatened to pursue eminent domain proceedings should residents not comply with the wishes of the Columbia administration: a negotiating strategy that more resembles holding a gun to a person's head than sitting down as equals. Second, the strikers are demanding greater diversity within the university's core curriculum and the establishment of an Ethnic Studies department (there is currently an Ethnic Studies program but without any dedicated faculty).

The actions of the strikers have opened up a political space on campus. Discussions/debates about their demands and the role of protest now frequently interrupt the typical drone around campus. Their bold stand has forced questions into the open, not only about these seemingly parochial issues of Columbia's curriculum and expansion into Harlem but about the importance of speaking out and acting in the face of injustice.

Attached below is a statement of solidarity with the strikers from Professor Gil Anidjar. You can visit the striker's blog <http://cu-strike.blogspot.com/> for updates on the campaign.

Rob 


Statement of Solidarity
Prof. Gil Anidjar

General Strike
When the university forces students into a silent corner – it exercises power, not freedom.

When Western culture continues to dominate our education – it extends its power, not freedom.

When racist individuals join forces with racist institutions – they benefit from power, not freedom.

When diversity is showcased by those who still dictate the same rules – this demonstrates power, not freedom.

When professors are vilified and fired – this is the familiar face of power, not freedom.

When administrative staff and maintenance workers are ignored and overworked – they are the recipients of power, not freedom.

When the president of a U.S. institution of higher learning (“America at its best”) “criticizes” the president of a country targeted for the next war – he inflicts power, not freedom.

When corporations destroy the lives of individuals and communities – they practice power, not freedom.

When Columbia expands, and the community is told to move on – this is the doing of power, not freedom.

The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that power knows nothing of freedom, nor can it claim it for itself. Power is not freedom. Power is power.

And truth must be spoken to power.

Thank you for striking for all of us, and for speaking truth to power.

Gil Anidjar
Associate Professor
Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures
Columbia University