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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Kraft ends support of Columbia University over antisemitism on campus
Hopefully this will help common sense prevail.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose long standing support of Columbia University has among other things resulted in the football field being named after him, has severed ties with the school, amid ongoing antisemitism on campus.
It was through the full academic scholarship Columbia gave me that I was able to attend college and get my start in life and for that I have been tremendously grateful, Kraft said in a statement by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. However, the school I love so much the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity is no longer an institution I recognize. I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country. I am no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff and I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken. It is my hope that Columbia and its leadership will stand up to this hate by ending these protests immediately and will work to earn back the respect and trust of the many of us who have lost faith in the institution. It is my hope that in this difficult time, the Kraft Center at Columbia will serve as a source of security and safety for all Jewish students and faculty on campus who want to gather peacefully to practice their religion, to be together, and to be welcomed.
Kraft has used his platform to oppose all forms of hate based on inherent human characteristics, sexual orientations, and religious ideologies.
Earlier today, the New York Times reported that some of the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia have veered into the harassment of Jewish students, drawing the attention of the police and the concern of a number of Jewish students.
On Monday, the school shifted to virtual classroom sessions.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/robert-kraft-ends-support-of-columbia-university-over-antisemitism-on-campus
jimfields33
(16,334 posts)Prairie Gates
(1,174 posts)Dr. Strange
(25,933 posts)hlthe2b
(102,666 posts)I'd be very interested to know--on this and other campuses. I'm not saying there is not an inherent resident problem, but I would really like to know how much is "homegrown."
Irish_Dem
(48,823 posts)Are they local or outside influence?
Beastly Boy
(9,634 posts)I have a related question: how many of the protesters are students?
ripcord
(5,553 posts)EllieBC
(3,061 posts)If taking away the money will get the school to figure out it has an antisemitism problem, then they can call this a learning experience. Just like the ones they are providing virtually seeing as though they have no control of their own campus.
Doc Sportello
(7,560 posts)Between this and those defending AIPAC support of repubs, it seems there is no bottom.
DiceK
(37 posts)Not sure how thats relevant here.
Doc Sportello
(7,560 posts)Well he's a scumbag supporter of dump who also happens to frequent prostitutes. If that's your guiding light as far as someone whose opinion we should value, then it is not surprising you claim it's not relevant. Who's next on the "people we should listen to" list? Charles Koch? Ginni Thomas?
DiceK
(37 posts)Not sure whos talking about guiding lights, or why paying for hand jobs is pertinent. But Jewish students are legitimately fearful on some campuses. Im glad Kraft as imperfect as he may be is taking a stand.
Doc Sportello
(7,560 posts)If he "takes a stand" as you put it against the student protestors? You going to use him as an example next? It logically follows that you do, based on this.
And how do you know they are legitimately fearful? Milène Klein, who was recently the editor of the student paper, who also happens to be Jewish, had this to say about the campus when asked about the mood at Columbia: "Actually, pretty good. Were in the newsroom right now. The mood on campus is actually high. Theres a lot of energy. People are chilling on the lawns."
Doesn't play as well as ginned up propaganda and I'm sure her opinion isn't as important to those like yourself who call rich trump supporters simply "imperfect" and find their opinions worthy of posting anf therefore a guiding light here on DU.
sir pball
(4,770 posts)https://www.timesofisrael.com/patriots-owner-robert-kraft-loans-team-plane-to-victims-for-gun-control-march/
Yeah, he is close personal friends with TFG given that, after his wife passed away, TFG was one of the only one of Kraft's billionaire boys to actually care in an utterly shocking display of empathy he called Kraft once a week for a year, to check in and talk I'm willing to tread lightly there.
Given the totality of the man, I have no issues with Kraft (well, politically as a Pats fan I have things to say )
Doc Sportello
(7,560 posts)And you give praise to trump? Hard to believe what is on DU these days. Or maybe not.
sir pball
(4,770 posts)Which leaves me with no issues regarding his politics. My following remark, "as a Pats fan I do have things to say about him", was clearly a (humorous) contradiction to that statement. His lack of control over his house cost us
quite a lot, but I digress.
What praise did I give TFG? I did say it was a "shocking" (which means "causing a feeling of surprise and dismay" ) display of empathy on his part to actually show concern for a fellow human, why would you disagree with that? It's entirely out of character for TFG and should rightfully be astonishing to anyone, that he'd do something that kind.
I suppose you think loaning the jet to Mr. Hogg, gratis (because flying a 767 is massively expensive) was just to score some cheap political points?
Celerity
(43,967 posts)https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2017/01/19/patriots-owner-robert-kraft-says-donald-trump-will-be-great-for-the-economy/
Hekate
(91,231 posts)keithbvadu2
(37,171 posts)Ironic... So many 'liberal' college students that the right wingers whine about are agreeing with Trump's republicans.
Trump's republicans who also agree with Hamas about killing more Jews.
Tarheel_Dem
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