Interim president Larry Jameson condemns anti-Semitic cartoons by Annenberg lecturer Dwayne Booth
University of Pennsylvania’s interim president, Larry Jameson, responded on Sunday to a series of grotesque anti-Semitic cartoons published by a lecturer at Penn’s Annenberg School of Communications. While personally finding the images “reprehensible,” Jameson emphasized the school’s commitment to open expression. He made it clear that neither he nor the administrators would take action to sanction or remove cartoonist Dwayne Booth from the faculty.
Jameson’s statement came three days after a Washington Free Beaconreport uncovered the cartoons. These cartoons depicted Zionists engaging in anti-Semitic propaganda, including the blood libel and offensive imagery from Nazi concentration camps.
“At Penn, we have a bedrock commitment to open expression and academic freedom, principles that were unanimously reaffirmed last week by our Faculty Senate Executive Committee,” Jameson said. “We also have a responsibility to challenge what we find offensive, and to do so acknowledging the right and ability of members of our community to express their views, however loathsome we find them.”
Jameson’s tepid response raises questions about the effectiveness of the task force on anti-Semitism established after former president Liz Magill’s resignation in December. The task force, chaired by dentistry professor Mark Wolff, has failed to address recent incidents of campus anti-Semitism at Penn.
While Penn has chosen not to remove Booth, the school has actively pursued the removal of law professor Amy Wax over controversial remarks. This discrepancy in action has led to criticism of Jameson’s leadership.
Booth, who teaches at Penn under the pen name “Mr. Fish,” has defiantly responded to Jameson’s statement. He has deleted the concentration camp cartoon from his Instagram but continues to publish controversial cartoons on his website.
Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication has not commented on whether they requested the removal of the concentration camp cartoon from Booth’s Instagram profile.
How will the educational programs and workshops organized by Penn address the issue of anti-Semitism and promote understanding and acceptance on campus
Nistration condone or support Booth’s views or the cartoons they depict. Jameson expressed his deep disappointment in the lecturer’s use of offensive stereotypes and imagery, stating that such actions do not align with the values of the university.
The anti-Semitic cartoons in question were created by Dwayne Booth, who uses the pen name “Mr. Fish.” Booth has been a part-time lecturer at the Annenberg School of Communications for several years. The controversial images, which were shared on social media platforms, depict harmful and derogatory stereotypes of Jewish people, perpetuating harmful tropes and contributing to the perpetuation of anti-Semitism.
In his statement, Jameson reiterated the importance of free speech and the university’s commitment to promoting a diversity of opinions and perspectives. However, he made it clear that these principles do not extend to hate speech or the promotion of harmful ideologies. The university seeks to foster a community of inclusivity, respect, and understanding, and these values should be upheld by all members of the Penn community.
Furthermore, Jameson expressed his hope that the incident serves as an opportunity for dialogue and education regarding the harmful effects of anti-Semitism. He stated that it is crucial for the university to address such incidents and assess its own role in fostering an environment that is truly inclusive.
The publication of these anti-Semitic images has understandably sparked outrage and concern among students, faculty, and the broader Penn community. Many have called for the immediate termination of Booth’s employment at the university, viewing his actions as not only offensive but also contrary to Penn’s mission and commitment to promoting a safe and respectful campus environment.
In response to these calls, Jameson assured the community that the university is taking the incident seriously and has launched an internal investigation. The investigation will thoroughly assess Booth’s actions and their impact on the community, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken based on the findings. Jameson emphasized the importance of this process in maintaining the integrity of the university.
Furthermore, Jameson announced that Penn will be organizing educational programs and workshops to address the issue of anti-Semitism and promote campus-wide understanding and acceptance. These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive environment and prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.
In conclusion, the publication of anti-Semitic cartoons by Annenberg lecturer Dwayne Booth has elicited strong condemnation from University of Pennsylvania’s interim president, Larry Jameson. The incident highlights the university’s commitment to free speech while also emphasizing the importance of combating hate speech and harmful ideologies. The actions taken by Jameson and the university leadership demonstrate their dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment. It is essential that the university uses this incident as an opportunity to educate and engage the community in meaningful dialogue surrounding anti-Semitism, with the goal of preventing future occurrences and promoting understanding and acceptance.
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