Dear President Michael Kotlikoff & Provost Kavita Bala,

 As a Cornell alumnus(B.Arch 85) and as a retired professor, I am deeply saddened to have read that Cornell extended an invitation for Angela Davis to give the keynote lecture for the University’s events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Davis' most recent activism that focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extraordinarily un-balanced and demonstrably aggressive. Her hyperbolic, ahistorical, and uncritical attacks on Israel and the Jewish people are divorced from the ethos of Dr. King, as is her defence of violence perpetrated against Jewish civilians as a legitimate form of resistance.  Is this the message Cornell wishes to give platform to?

As an academic, I support Cornell exposing students to a range of thoughtful and critical positions on this topic. However, to invite a polemicist who has become known for promoting an activist message of hate that relies upon tired, uncritical and ahistorical accusatory tropes of “settler colonialism” etc, does a disservice to Cornellians and to the academy. Particularly so when there is no counterpoint to Ms. Davis’ polemics.  In short, students are being exposed to a singular message that when not challenged or countered is simply left to stand as a "truth".       

Finally, I would add that Cornell’s bestowal of a platform, a shield and a sword to Angela Davis so that she can continue her antizionist and antisemitic screed on Campus and in the name of Martin Luther King Jr. is simply astonishing. I must remind you of an event that took place at my other -equally troubled - alma mater (Harvard).  On October 27, 1967, just a few months after the Six Day War, King had dinner with a group of Harvard students. Professor Seymour Martin Lipset was present and recalled how one of the students dining with King criticized Zionists and Zionism. King was incensed, and responded by saying “Don’t talk like that!”. He continued by adding: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism!”  This anecdote underscores Dr. King's clear recognition of the antisemitic undertones in anti-Zionist rhetoric.  It is sadly a perspective that seems – even after Cornell’s supposed introspection over the past year’s outbreak of antisemitism - still lacking in Cornell’s senior leadership.  King’s clarion call to his dinner companions is completely at odds with Angela Davis' public positions. By choosing Angela Davis to give this lecture, Cornell is betraying Dr. King's legacy. Cornell is also once again betraying its Jewish students and faculty. 

 You really should have done better in finding a keynote speaker whose work and whose voice aligns with the true spirit of Dr. King’s vision.

Sincerely,

 Adam Drisin, RA (B.Arch 85)