2008 Woodie Awards
Columbia University Professor's Speech Backfires
Louie Araujo
Issue date: 4/9/03 Section: News
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Columbia University assistant professor of anthropology Nicholas DeGenova made controversial comments at a March 27 anti-war teach-in on campus that has resulted in a political backlash and called forth comments from students, academicians, soldiers and Congressmen threatening the professor's tenure at Columbia University.
According to the campus daily newspaper, "The Columbia Spectator," Professor DeGenova, during an argument in which he equated patriotism and support for U.S. troops with the perpetuation of U.S. imperialism and racism, said he hopes Iraqi armies defeat U.S. troops.
DeGenova told the crowd, "The only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military."
According to the newspaper, he also said that he wished for "a million Mogadishus," a reference to the city in Somalia where 18 American soldiers were killed and dozens were wounded in an ambush in 1993.
DeGenova had told the audience at Columbia's Low Library anti-war teach-in that "U.S. patriotism is inseparable from imperial warfare and white supremacy."
Columbia University has become inundated by e-mail denouncing Professor DeGenova's comments.
In statements released March 31 and April 3, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger decried the content of DeGenova's comments. "I am shocked that someone would make such statements," Bollinger said. "Because of the University's tradition of academic freedom, I normally don't comment about statements made by faculty members. However, this one crosses the line and I really feel the need to say something. I am especially saddened for those families whose lives are at risk."
Bollinger's statements did not go over very well with Columbia University students. The statement was posted on the University's website and provoked harsh criticism from students.
Ned Treadwell, e-mail list administrator for the Columbia Student Solidarity Network, said," I have no objection to Bollinger saying whatever the hell he wants, one way or the other, on the war, but it bothers me that Bollinger would use official University avenues to advertise his own political position, especially considering the threats of violence that DeGenova is receiving."
According to the campus daily newspaper, "The Columbia Spectator," Professor DeGenova, during an argument in which he equated patriotism and support for U.S. troops with the perpetuation of U.S. imperialism and racism, said he hopes Iraqi armies defeat U.S. troops.
DeGenova told the crowd, "The only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military."
According to the newspaper, he also said that he wished for "a million Mogadishus," a reference to the city in Somalia where 18 American soldiers were killed and dozens were wounded in an ambush in 1993.
DeGenova had told the audience at Columbia's Low Library anti-war teach-in that "U.S. patriotism is inseparable from imperial warfare and white supremacy."
Columbia University has become inundated by e-mail denouncing Professor DeGenova's comments.
In statements released March 31 and April 3, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger decried the content of DeGenova's comments. "I am shocked that someone would make such statements," Bollinger said. "Because of the University's tradition of academic freedom, I normally don't comment about statements made by faculty members. However, this one crosses the line and I really feel the need to say something. I am especially saddened for those families whose lives are at risk."
Bollinger's statements did not go over very well with Columbia University students. The statement was posted on the University's website and provoked harsh criticism from students.
Ned Treadwell, e-mail list administrator for the Columbia Student Solidarity Network, said," I have no objection to Bollinger saying whatever the hell he wants, one way or the other, on the war, but it bothers me that Bollinger would use official University avenues to advertise his own political position, especially considering the threats of violence that DeGenova is receiving."
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