As a NU professor, you signed two letters last year —one was in support of the encampments and the other opposed the formation of an antisemitism task force. In the letter related to the task force you and the signers state, “…the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine must be free,” as our colleagues at Harvard write, “has a long …
As a NU professor, you signed two letters last year —one was in support of the encampments and the other opposed the formation of an antisemitism task force. In the letter related to the task force you and the signers state, “…the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine must be free,” as our colleagues at Harvard write, “has a long and complicated history. Its interpretation deserves, and is receiving, sustained and ongoing inquiry and debate.”” To most Jews in this community this phrase is neither nuanced nor complicated. Please defend this statement here. Please explain what you meant when you signed this letter thereby agreeing with this statement. And please help me understand given how unsafe Jewish Northwestern students felt on campus in the aftermath of October 7th, how Jewish families are supposed to feel knowing you signed these two letters and believe “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” isn’t exactly what we all know it to be —a genocidal call for the elimination of Jews from the region.
I recognize that antisemitism is real, serious, and on the rise. My signatures on both letters were not meant to diminish the experiences of Jewish students. I signed because I value free speech while acknowledging the need for clear policies on protests.
I understand there are different interpretations of my actions, but I hope my role as an educator, coach and community member demonstrates my intent to address all forms of hate without minimizing antisemitism. While the focus should have been on antisemitism after the tragic events in Israel, I believe acknowledging other forms of hate can strengthen our collective response.
As a community member, I prioritize addressing antisemitism and all incidents of hate. If elected to the school board, I will respond meaningfully to community concerns. I appreciate this dialogue and look forward to working toward a more inclusive and safe community for all students, especially in challenging times ahead.
Nichole, thank you for your thoughtful response to this and other questions posed. I just want to point out one thing that may not have occurred to you then, but I'm sure you can understand: to advocate one task force for all hate is the Jewish equivalent to what claims of "all lives matter" feels to the Black community.
Dr. Pinkard: While I thank you for your reply I must be honest and say—you have not answered any of my questions. So, I’ll say it again—you signed a letter that specifically asserted that the phrase “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” is complicated and nuanced. I asked you to explain; to defend that position. You have not.
It is critical for you to understand that for most Jews in our community, there is only one interpretation of “from the river to the sea”— and it is for the region to be free —from Jews. In other words “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free from Jews.” This phrase is terrifying your Jewish neighbors and community members.
If you won’t recognize this, apologize for signing the letters, and address this head on, then as I see it, any promises about mending fences with the Jewish community are meaningless.
For the record, there is zero basis for your claim.
ZERO.
Jews are not a monolith, never were. 90% of Jews are zionists though, so if you want to point to gross generalizations….
As a Jew, I need public leaders who can protect my children from ideological wayward teachers and administrators in D65.
Nichole is none such as evidenced by her signing petitions against Israel and her endorsement by those who revere Hamas. I keep receipts and the public ought to know what is not reported.
There is zero basis for my claim that Nichole is admired by many of our colleagues and students that happen to be Jewish? Does that bother you? The basis for that is my experience as a faculty member interacting with hundreds of students and dozens of faculty. Nichole is respected by all.
I’m sure there are Jews that support Dr. Pinkard. To be honest, I’m not exactly sure what your point is here. I never said ALL Jews were concerned about her signing those petitions. As was stated above, Jews are not a monolith.
As an aside, as her colleague at NU —I see that you also signed those two petitions —supporting the encampments, opposing an antisemitism task force and asserting that “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” is a nuanced and complex phrase. To me, this is an important data point for folks here to know; to understand where you’re coming from when it comes to the concerns I’ve expressed.
I most certainly did. And very proud of it. Like Nichole I stand for free speech. Many of my Jewish colleagues also respect and support free speech on our campus, including when the speech is in opposition to their own personal politics.
Enough said, Professor. To not understand how encampments went beyond First Amendment free speech parameters and how opposing an antisemitism task force has nothing to do with free speech —and to believe “from the river” is painful and devastating to Jews —to say you’re “very proud”of this??! Wow.
I was at the encampments, not as a protester but just as a journalist. Other than the scuffle at the beginning, which resulted in some charges against a few folks (which were dropped), I didn’t witness anything I would consider an exception to the first amendment (such as fraud, fighting words, counterfeiting, etc). I’m not trying to argue, genuinely curious to understand the arguments here.
There certainly were some things I’d consider anti-semitic, but having shitty opinions isn’t against the law.
I’m glad that was your experience but please know that many that I know personally (including family members —including an 80+ year old) had quite the opposite experience, Tom. And I know all about & vehemently support BTW— the First Amendment and it protecting even the most abhorrent hurtful speech (including shitty opinions).
I’m just asking for some space to acknowledge that in the weeks and weeks of that encampment’s existence that there were acts that went further than what the first amendment protects. And to further acknowledge that the petition opposing the antisemitism task force and blurring the meaning of “from the river…”—cannot be easily dismissed as covered by the first amendment position. Even Dr. Pjnkard admitted that she opposed it on the grounds of supporting an “all hate” task force instead of one focused on antisemitism.
I’m just going to say this once as clearly as I can: this is all so terrifying to most of your Jewish friends and neighbors. And also mind numbing and frankly, exhausting. I’m forced to ask: why is a Jewish lived experience so easily dismissed —especially in a town that is all about uplifting minoritized communities, of which Jews are one? If I were speaking as any other minority, I don’t think I’d be so easily dismissed and othered/what about-ed. And to say this continues to be not only bewildering but a harrowing eye opening experience for most Evanston Jews is an understatement.
What was the experience they had at the protests? Again, I'm not trying to belittle your experience or anyone's, I am trying to understand what that experience was. Is there somewhere I can read an account? I was at the protests but I can't possibly see everything.
I’ve learned since October 7 that some Jews value their own ultra leftist political ideology over their religion. It’s sad. And it sounds like those are the only Jews that you associate with.
not really actually. I have several colleagues and friends - some who live in Israel. some who I went to undergraduate with and live there now and communicate with me regularly. some who are colleagues with family there and with generally pro-Israeli politics. we meet, we talk, we argue, and most importantly, we respect each other. including respecting the right to protest peacefully and disagree peacefully. so, yeah, wrong assumption on your part.
Come on, let's not get into this fight here. If you don't think Nicole is the right person for the job because of this petition, that's fine, but please don't fight with commenters in this way.
As a NU professor, you signed two letters last year —one was in support of the encampments and the other opposed the formation of an antisemitism task force. In the letter related to the task force you and the signers state, “…the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine must be free,” as our colleagues at Harvard write, “has a long and complicated history. Its interpretation deserves, and is receiving, sustained and ongoing inquiry and debate.”” To most Jews in this community this phrase is neither nuanced nor complicated. Please defend this statement here. Please explain what you meant when you signed this letter thereby agreeing with this statement. And please help me understand given how unsafe Jewish Northwestern students felt on campus in the aftermath of October 7th, how Jewish families are supposed to feel knowing you signed these two letters and believe “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” isn’t exactly what we all know it to be —a genocidal call for the elimination of Jews from the region.
I recognize that antisemitism is real, serious, and on the rise. My signatures on both letters were not meant to diminish the experiences of Jewish students. I signed because I value free speech while acknowledging the need for clear policies on protests.
I understand there are different interpretations of my actions, but I hope my role as an educator, coach and community member demonstrates my intent to address all forms of hate without minimizing antisemitism. While the focus should have been on antisemitism after the tragic events in Israel, I believe acknowledging other forms of hate can strengthen our collective response.
As a community member, I prioritize addressing antisemitism and all incidents of hate. If elected to the school board, I will respond meaningfully to community concerns. I appreciate this dialogue and look forward to working toward a more inclusive and safe community for all students, especially in challenging times ahead.
Nichole, thank you for your thoughtful response to this and other questions posed. I just want to point out one thing that may not have occurred to you then, but I'm sure you can understand: to advocate one task force for all hate is the Jewish equivalent to what claims of "all lives matter" feels to the Black community.
Nichole, I appreciate your thoughtful and balanced response.
Dr. Pinkard: While I thank you for your reply I must be honest and say—you have not answered any of my questions. So, I’ll say it again—you signed a letter that specifically asserted that the phrase “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” is complicated and nuanced. I asked you to explain; to defend that position. You have not.
It is critical for you to understand that for most Jews in our community, there is only one interpretation of “from the river to the sea”— and it is for the region to be free —from Jews. In other words “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free from Jews.” This phrase is terrifying your Jewish neighbors and community members.
If you won’t recognize this, apologize for signing the letters, and address this head on, then as I see it, any promises about mending fences with the Jewish community are meaningless.
For the record. Nichole is loved and respected by many of our Jewish colleagues and students at Northwestern.
For the record, there is zero basis for your claim.
ZERO.
Jews are not a monolith, never were. 90% of Jews are zionists though, so if you want to point to gross generalizations….
As a Jew, I need public leaders who can protect my children from ideological wayward teachers and administrators in D65.
Nichole is none such as evidenced by her signing petitions against Israel and her endorsement by those who revere Hamas. I keep receipts and the public ought to know what is not reported.
There is zero basis for my claim that Nichole is admired by many of our colleagues and students that happen to be Jewish? Does that bother you? The basis for that is my experience as a faculty member interacting with hundreds of students and dozens of faculty. Nichole is respected by all.
What is not being reported, exactly?
I’m sure there are Jews that support Dr. Pinkard. To be honest, I’m not exactly sure what your point is here. I never said ALL Jews were concerned about her signing those petitions. As was stated above, Jews are not a monolith.
As an aside, as her colleague at NU —I see that you also signed those two petitions —supporting the encampments, opposing an antisemitism task force and asserting that “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” is a nuanced and complex phrase. To me, this is an important data point for folks here to know; to understand where you’re coming from when it comes to the concerns I’ve expressed.
I most certainly did. And very proud of it. Like Nichole I stand for free speech. Many of my Jewish colleagues also respect and support free speech on our campus, including when the speech is in opposition to their own personal politics.
Enough said, Professor. To not understand how encampments went beyond First Amendment free speech parameters and how opposing an antisemitism task force has nothing to do with free speech —and to believe “from the river” is painful and devastating to Jews —to say you’re “very proud”of this??! Wow.
And again, enough said.
I was at the encampments, not as a protester but just as a journalist. Other than the scuffle at the beginning, which resulted in some charges against a few folks (which were dropped), I didn’t witness anything I would consider an exception to the first amendment (such as fraud, fighting words, counterfeiting, etc). I’m not trying to argue, genuinely curious to understand the arguments here.
There certainly were some things I’d consider anti-semitic, but having shitty opinions isn’t against the law.
I’m glad that was your experience but please know that many that I know personally (including family members —including an 80+ year old) had quite the opposite experience, Tom. And I know all about & vehemently support BTW— the First Amendment and it protecting even the most abhorrent hurtful speech (including shitty opinions).
I’m just asking for some space to acknowledge that in the weeks and weeks of that encampment’s existence that there were acts that went further than what the first amendment protects. And to further acknowledge that the petition opposing the antisemitism task force and blurring the meaning of “from the river…”—cannot be easily dismissed as covered by the first amendment position. Even Dr. Pjnkard admitted that she opposed it on the grounds of supporting an “all hate” task force instead of one focused on antisemitism.
I’m just going to say this once as clearly as I can: this is all so terrifying to most of your Jewish friends and neighbors. And also mind numbing and frankly, exhausting. I’m forced to ask: why is a Jewish lived experience so easily dismissed —especially in a town that is all about uplifting minoritized communities, of which Jews are one? If I were speaking as any other minority, I don’t think I’d be so easily dismissed and othered/what about-ed. And to say this continues to be not only bewildering but a harrowing eye opening experience for most Evanston Jews is an understatement.
What was the experience they had at the protests? Again, I'm not trying to belittle your experience or anyone's, I am trying to understand what that experience was. Is there somewhere I can read an account? I was at the protests but I can't possibly see everything.
I’ve learned since October 7 that some Jews value their own ultra leftist political ideology over their religion. It’s sad. And it sounds like those are the only Jews that you associate with.
not really actually. I have several colleagues and friends - some who live in Israel. some who I went to undergraduate with and live there now and communicate with me regularly. some who are colleagues with family there and with generally pro-Israeli politics. we meet, we talk, we argue, and most importantly, we respect each other. including respecting the right to protest peacefully and disagree peacefully. so, yeah, wrong assumption on your part.
Ps- let me guess… you are not Jewish, huh?
Come on, let's not get into this fight here. If you don't think Nicole is the right person for the job because of this petition, that's fine, but please don't fight with commenters in this way.
I’m not Jewish. I’m Iranian. Does that change how you view my comments above?
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/11/16/uncategorized/lte-nu-faculty-across-schools-respond-to-president-schill-protect-academic-freedom-and-the-right-to-dissent/