Word: blsa
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Members of BLSA should have gotten their arguments together better before committing them to paper, because they can't have it both ways--a "private teach-in" that includes outside observers, but conduct the event in an exclusive, anti-free speech and anti-fairness manner. Indeed, the teach-in's moderator, Muhammad Kenyatta, implicity understood this gaping contradiction--albeit a bit late in the day--for he sought to circumvent it by ignoring the request of Prof. Alan Dershowitz and members of HJLSA for an explanation of how the moderator would handle a discussion period...
...Finally, the BLSA's account of the vulgar disruption by some Jewish students at last year's talk is mistaken in one crucial respect. They state that "Neither the Dean nor other members of the faculty spoke out against this disruption and violation of free speech". I know that Muhammad Kenyatta knows this account is in error, for he has commented favorably to me about a letter I published in the Crimson strongly criticizing this disruption, and I supported the BLSA's concern for presenting Palestinian issue at Harvard. Prof. Dershowitz also criticized the HJLSA's disruption...
First, in recounting the chain of events at this year's PLO visit, the BLSA letter claims that Prof. Alan Dershowitz "attempted to disrupt the event by raising a procedural question." True, Prof. Dershowitz wished to ask a question pertaining to moderator Mohammed Kenyatta's five minute explanation of "house rules." Dershowitz raised his hand and waited until Kenyatta looked over to him. When Kenyatta had finished his sentence, Dershowitz inquired, "May I ask a procedural question?" Kenyatta responded flatly, "NO," and continued his address. Dershowitz left quietly without saying another word...
...read with great discomfort the BLSA letter on the PLO "teach-in", submitted to the Crimson on April 28. As two students who viewed the entire "teach-in", we would like to clarify some inaccuracies...
...raised, and asked him "Didn't you have your hand up before?" At that point, it became obvious that Kenyatta would not accept questions from the HJLSA or its supporters, and that the forum would not be conductive to the open exchange of ideas. After the majority of non-BLSA/TWC students had left the room, we remained as two of four or five non-BLSA/TWC students in the room. Although we raised our hands at the appropriate times, we were not called upon. In addition, we did not see Kenyatta call upon any other Jewish students...