“How DARE You Call Me A Racist!” Piers Morgan vs Cornel West vs Cenk Uygur
Summary
TLDRThe transcript captures a heated debate on the protests at Columbia University and other campuses, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The discussion involves accusations of bias, with participants arguing about the portrayal of the situation in Gaza and the actions of protesters on campus. The conversation touches on issues of free speech, the role of the media, and the responsibility of universities in addressing student concerns. Tensions rise as the participants challenge each other's perspectives, with allegations of racism and propaganda being thrown around. The debate concludes with a commitment to continue seeking solutions for the conflict and a plea for understanding and empathy towards all parties involved.
Takeaways
- 🗣️ The debate revolves around protests at Columbia University and the broader implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campuses.
- 🏛️ There are allegations of vandalism and harassment at Columbia's Hamilton Hall, with claims that the protesters were violent and disruptive.
- 🚨 Reports suggest that police have moved to eject students from Hamilton Hall, highlighting a clash between law enforcement and student protesters.
- 🤔 The conversation brings up the question of where the line is drawn between free speech and unacceptable behavior during protests.
- 📢 Claims that some protesters are using anti-Semitic rhetoric and symbols, leading to accusations of promoting hate speech.
- 🤷♂️ There is disagreement over whether the actions of the protesters constitute terrorism or are legitimate acts of resistance against perceived oppression.
- 👮♂️ The role of the police and university administration in handling the protests is questioned, with some arguing their response is heavy-handed.
- 📈 The discussion touches on the issue of double standards, with references to how different groups and causes are treated within the context of protests and free speech.
- 🌎 The conversation also expands to include the global perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact of this on the protests.
- 🚫 There are calls for condemnation of violence on all sides, with some accusing the media and others of being biased in their coverage and responses to the protests.
- 📚 The importance of academic freedom and the role of universities in fostering open debate are highlighted, with concerns expressed over potential suppression of viewpoints.
Q & A
What is the main issue being discussed in the transcript?
-The main issue discussed is the protests at Columbia University and other campuses in support of Gaza, the reactions to these protests, and the broader implications regarding free speech, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and accusations of anti-Semitism.
Why is there a debate about free speech in this context?
-The debate about free speech arises because some argue that the protests and chants, such as 'from the river to the sea,' could be seen as promoting violence or anti-Semitic sentiments, while others claim they are expressions of political opinion protected under the First Amendment.
What does the term 'intifada' mean in Arabic?
-The term 'intifada' in Arabic means shaking off, and it is used in the context of uprisings or resistance against oppression, not exclusively related to the Palestinian struggle.
What accusations are being made against the protesters at Columbia University?
-Accusations against the protesters include vandalism, trespassing, harassment of Jewish students and faculty, and potentially holding people against their will after breaking into a building.
What is the counter-argument made by the pro-Palestinian activist regarding the accusations of anti-Semitism?
-The counter-argument is that accusations of anti-Semitism are often used to silence pro-Palestinian activists and that many Jewish students and organizations are, in fact, supporting the protests and standing against the actions of the Israeli government.
Why did the police move to eject students from Hamilton Hall at Columbia University?
-null
What historical event is mentioned in relation to the protests at Columbia University?
-The occupation of Hamilton Hall in 1968 by students protesting South African apartheid is mentioned as a historical event, drawing parallels to the current protests.
What is the position of the Fox News contributor on the issue of free speech at universities?
-The Fox News contributor argues for a First Amendment absolutist position, stating that all speech, even if it's considered hate speech, should be protected under the Constitution, and the government should not decide what is and is not allowed.
What concerns are raised about the handling of the protests by the university administrations and the police?
-Concerns are raised that the university administrations and the police are being used to suppress peaceful protests, with instances of violence by the NYPD against protesters, and accusations of limiting freedom of speech and press.
What is the argument made by the pro-Palestinian activist regarding the chanting of 'from the river to the sea'?
-The argument is that the chant is not inherently anti-Semitic and is a call for resistance against oppression, and that the context of the Palestinian struggle is often misunderstood by those who accuse the chant of promoting the eradication of Israel.
How does the debate reflect the broader tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
-The debate reflects the broader tensions by showcasing the differing perspectives on the conflict, including the legitimacy of protests, the impact of historical events on current opinions, the role of free speech in political discourse, and the complexities of addressing accusations of anti-Semitism.
Outlines
🗣️ Controversial Views on Gaza Conflict
The speaker expresses strong opinions about the situation in Gaza, criticizing the framing of the issue as purely Israeli propaganda. They discuss the harassment of Jewish students and the complexity of the situation, including the actions of protesters at American universities, the demand for humanitarian aid, and the broader implications for community and student safety. The conversation touches on the volatile nature of the protests and the difficulty in addressing the underlying issues.
🤔 Questioning the Support for Violent Uprisings
The paragraph delves into a contentious conversation about the use of the term 'Intifada', the harassment of Jewish students, and the vandalism associated with the protests. The discussion becomes heated as the speaker defends the actions of pro-Palestinian activists and criticizes the violence perpetrated by authorities against protesters. The dialogue also addresses accusations of anti-Semitism and the speaker's stance against it, while also highlighting the importance of understanding the context behind the slogans and actions of the protesters.
📢 Free Speech and the Debate on Campus Protests
This section focuses on the issue of free speech in the context of campus protests. It contrasts the government's stance on free speech with the actions taken to limit it, particularly regarding criticism of Israel. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment and the potential dangers of allowing the government to decide what constitutes acceptable speech. It also touches on the tension between supporting free speech and opposing certain forms of expression, such as those that may be associated with hate speech or terrorism.
🏛️ The哥伦比亚 University Protests and the IDF
The speaker condemns the harassment of Jewish students and discusses the protests at Colombia University. They argue against the intimidation of Jewish students for the actions of the Israeli government. The paragraph also addresses the broader context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, including the deaths of journalists and the violence in Gaza. There is a debate about the value of different lives and the accusations of racism in the framing of the conflict.
🤝 Addressing the Conflict Through Dialogue and Amendment
The paragraph emphasizes the need to separate personal feelings about speech and the issue from government involvement. It discusses the potential consequences of allowing the government to regulate speech, including the possibility of silencing certain viewpoints. The speaker advocates for a clear distinction between personal opinions and the protection of free speech rights, suggesting that anti-Semitic views should not be conflated with support for the First Amendment.
🕵️♂️ Infiltrating the Protest Camp: A Firsthand Account
The speaker describes their experience of infiltrating a pro-Palestinian protest camp at UCLA, highlighting the conditions within the camp and the behavior of the protesters. They claim to have witnessed hate speech and violent tendencies among the protesters, leading to concerns about the safety of journalists and the integrity of the protest movement. The narrative suggests a need for transparency and accountability within the protest camps.
👨🏫 Academic Freedom and the Role of Universities
This section discusses the role of universities in the context of the protests, with a focus on the actions of the administration and the police. The speaker argues against the characterization of the protests as violent and instead points to the actions of authorities as the source of conflict. They also discuss the historical context of university activism and the importance of dialogue and transparency in addressing the concerns of students.
🌎 Global Perspectives on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The paragraph touches on the global implications of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with a focus on the role of the media and the perception of different sides. It addresses the accusations of racism and the portrayal of the conflict in the media, suggesting a need for a more balanced and nuanced understanding of the situation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity of all individuals involved in the conflict.
🤬 Accusations of Racism and the Importance of Fair Reporting
The final paragraph is a tense exchange where the speaker defends themselves against accusations of racism, highlighting their past interviews and efforts to address the situation in Gaza fairly. They express frustration with the media's portrayal of the conflict and the labeling of those who defend Palestinians as anti-Semitic. The paragraph ends with a call for an end to the heated debate and a commitment to continue seeking solutions and a better understanding of the situation.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Gaza
💡Israeli propaganda
💡Protestors
💡Humanitarian aid
💡Free speech
💡Anti-Semitism
💡Campus protests
💡Palestinian solidarity
💡Violence at protests
💡Cancel culture
💡Terrorism
Highlights
The discussion revolves around the protests at Columbia University and the broader implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campuses.
A participant argues that the framing of the issue has been heavily biased towards Israeli propaganda, neglecting the Palestinian perspective.
There is an agreement that Jewish students should not be harassed or attacked, but a debate on the reasons behind such incidents occurs.
The term 'Intifada' is discussed, with clarification that it means 'uprising' against oppression, not specifically violence.
Reports of vandalism and barricading of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University by protesters are mentioned.
The issue of free speech on campus is brought up, with concerns over potential limits on constitutionally protected speech.
A debate ensues over the use of the phrase 'from the river to the sea,' with accusations of promoting the eradication of Israel.
Javier Deuso shares his experience of infiltrating a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA, noting aggression and hate speech.
Cornell West emphasizes the importance of dialogue and transparency regarding university investments linked to the conflict.
The role of the media in shaping public perception of the conflict and the portrayal of protesters is criticized.
Concerns are raised about the harassment and intimidation of Jewish students, with calls for their protection.
The discussion touches on the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the roots of violence.
The validity of the IDF's actions and whether they constitute terrorism is questioned, with differing viewpoints presented.
The heated exchange reflects the deep divisions and strong emotions tied to the conflict, both on campus and in the public discourse.
The necessity for a nuanced understanding of the situation in Gaza and the impact on students and journalists is emphasized.
The debate concludes with a call for protection of all students' rights and safety, regardless of their stance on the conflict.
Transcripts
that doesn't mean I don't have very
strong views about what's happening in
Gaza because you know that I do so what
where is my lie in all this yeah Piers
I've just listened to you for 20 minutes
frame the issue in a purely 100% Israeli
propaganda way so if you say Hey listen
the Jewish students shouldn't be
harassed or attacked of course I agree
I've you agree with me so why have I
lied yeah no no no stop interrupting
the protesters wreaking havoc at some of
America's top universities have a deadly
serious point unfortunately many of them
fundamentally unserious people Nothing
captured the insanity of this moment
better than a PhD candidate at Columbia
University stepping out to demand
humanitarian aid for the
protesters I guess it's ultimately a
question of what kind of community and
obligation Colombia feels it has to its
students um do you want students to die
of dehydration and starvation or get
severely ill even if they disagree with
you if the answer is no then you should
allow basic I mean it's crazy to say
because we're on an ivy Le campus but
this is like basic humanitarian Aid
we're asking for it seems like you're
sort of saying we want to be
revolutionaries we want to take up this
building now would you please bring us
food with a completely straight face she
demands urgent assistance for protesters
to spare them from dehydration
starvation and severe illness as she and
her mob friends voluntarily occupied a
private building in support of gar and
people actually facing dehydration
starvation and severe illness well
students protesting for peace is nothing
new they have every right to do it but
clearly they're are limits under the law
and at this point they're doing a better
job of Israeli propaganda than Israel's
government police have moved into eject
students from Columbia's Hamilton Hall
after reports they vandalized and
barricaded the famous building as the
university said this was because of the
protest as actions not because of their
cause officers Clash for students at
other campuses overnight including UCLA
Los Angeles where pro-israel protesters
moved on their Rivals and police
patients ran out it's all begin
unpleasant shades of the BLM riots in
2020 a fundamentally just cause which
became toxic and divisive fueled by
people who know little about the issues
a lot about causing chaos and quite AP
from apart from the absurdity of the
individuals involved it raises serious
questions and contradictions many of
former president Trump's feces critics
shuted at his blat Crackdown on most
2020 protests how does St Joe Biden's
supporters defend the SE we're
witnessing now and on the other hand
many of the staunchest offenders of free
speech have being the loudest supporters
of Israel and the fiercest critics of
the campus protesters so where is the
line and is it the police or the
protesters who've crossed it well in a
moment we'll debate all this with an
All-Star panel but first joining me now
is pro Palestinian activist Nardin kwani
who organized protests outside Columbia
and City University in New York last
night um okay Nadine welcome back to
uncensored you were there last night
there's a current ban uh on you and
others from Colombia dated from last
week uh saying that you are considered
Persona onr on all Colombia University
own property due to alarming and
concerning Behavior so why were you back
there I wasn't inside the gates of
Colombia I was outside of Colombia and
you know I'm able to be able to protest
outside of Colombia in support of the
students as a New Yorker just like New
Yorkers have been consistently showing
outside of the gates of Colombia um in
support of the students even before they
launched the GZA solidarity encampment
uh my organization within our lifetime
mobilized in support of Colombia
students uh from Jewish voice for peace
and from students for justice in
Palestine who are both suspended um
months ago and you know we're just
continuing that tradition that support
um from the community to the students so
we had a a protest that started at NYU
went to the new school made a stop at
fit the Fashion Institute of Technology
uh we made our way over to Colombia by
train and then ended at cuni so just
showing solidarity to all of the
encampments but it's not quite a
straightforward as just showing
solidarity uh mobs inside and outside
the campus have been chanting into F and
anyone who knows the history of the uh
conflict between Palestine and Israel
knows what in means it means a violent
Uprising they've been chanting from The
River To The Sea which of course course
involves the eradication of Israel we've
seen Jewish students being harassed uh
by by the mob we've seen Jewish
professors not being allowed in to teach
because of fears for their safety uh
we've seen others being held in
effective captivity following the
breaking in the violent breaking in of
an historic building uh all of this uh a
lot of it is Criminal from trespass to
vandalism to actually potentially
kidnapping people if you're not letting
them out when you break in um how do you
how do you so no kidnappings have happen
hang on I'm just saying potentially
potentially it could be categorized as
that so my question for you is why would
you support all this why do you support
chanting about a violent Uprising why
are Jewish students being harassed in
this manner why would you support the
wanton vandalism involved in smashing
into an historic
building so I'm going to try to answer
this in the order of everything you said
first of all an uh means shaking off in
Arabic or Uprising it's not just using
the Palestinian context but against
people fighting against oppression
everywhere and the City University of
New York where I was a student in
undergrad and for law school actually
investigated SJP um for the use of the
word in in previous um years they
released a report in 2016 that is public
right now you can find it um online that
clarifies that Ina is not an
anti-semitic there have been two inter
hang on there have been two inter the
first and second inter in the in the
conflict uh in the last 30 years been
these two Infamous interf fathers which
led to the deaths of many many people on
both sides both were violent uprisings
and so when people CH about when you
have a pro Palestinian when a pro
Palestinian group started as boycotts
started as strikes are you going to let
me respond because you actually made a
lot of accusations and I'm going to try
to respond to all of them in order okay
well you not going back and forth are
you going to try and deny that either
inap was violent
I believe that the Israeli colonizers
the zionists made it violent by
attacking peaceful protests just like we
saw the NYPD attack protesters at cuni
and at Colombia that made the situation
that wasn't previously violent violence
and all the acts of terrorism
perpetrated by Pro Palestinians against
Israelis during the two iners what do
you think of those I'm not here to
debate the first and second and the with
you I'm told you the definition of the
word you can
you're being disingenuous when people
when Pro Palestinian groups in a new
outside of New York University chant
about in they know what they're doing
and Jewish people know what they're
doing they are invoking the first and
second which involves which
involves protr has been chanting in for
decades so you know this and and let's
go back let's go to the second phrase
you say from The River To The Sea now
they want to make a problem with that
any chance that we say you know there's
this accusation of of anti-Semitism
because every single Pro Palestinian
activist has been accused of of
anti-Semitism as a way to silence them
even though just you know you mentioned
Jewish students before so many of these
Jewish students are standing with us are
with the protest inside and outside many
are not many are being hared Jewish
voice for peace was suped many je many
Jewish students are not and they're
being harassed and we're seeing the
videos of they're being harassed they're
being threatened they're being banned
from
going hared they've been but you're not
in Gaza doing this you're doing in the
middle of New York what does this have
to do with being in Gaza we're here as
New Yorkers as Arabs Muslims and
Palestinians and we're harassed daily
constantly not just since October 7th
but for as long as we have lived here
and you know that's constantly ignored
uh but when Palestinian students are
finally speaking up against the
slaughter of their people and Gaza and
all over Palestine you know it becomes a
problem now they want to you know pay
attention um to these things you know I
think every uh Palestinian organization
including my own has made it clear that
we stand against anti-Semitism and that
these smears of anti-Semitism against
Pro Palestinian activists are a
long-held tradition by the Zionist Lobby
by Zionist organizations as an attempt
to discredit people if protesters get
violent is that acceptable resistance to
the
oppression I haven't seen any violence
um happen happening at protest so I
don't even know why this um is a
question nobody's advocating for violent
protest and nobody say Jus including
myself would it be justified I just
answered that you're just repeating the
same question I feel like you're being
disingenous when I've already made this
you didn't answer if it would be
justified I just said it's not
acceptable how could it be justified
right so the only violence that we see
being Unleashed which is completely
unacceptable is by the nyp who have maed
protesters they ma people at NYU which I
saw with my own eyes
they last night they whipped out their
bons they beat people until they bled
people got people got punched in the
face they were bleeding from their teeth
you know this is the violence that's
complet because a howling vient that's
because a howling violent mob chanting
into broke into an historic building on
a private property it's not their
property they committed acts of
vandalism they committed acts of
trespass they were holding people
against their will they've been
threatening and harassing Jewish
students I'm sorry that's not a peaceful
protest right these people are not
protesting peace will were Colombia
students forced to stay inside the
journalism school you know the NYPD
literally poked open poked their head in
an open door and told the cuni
journalism students that if they left
that building they would be arrested
Colombia admin came to say that they
should have the right to report that
they can't limit um the freedom of
speech the freedom of the press and the
NYPD actually threatened Colombia um
Administration so the only people who
were being held against their will um
were the Colombia students by the NYPD
um and other students who were not part
of the journalism School part of the
other schools or in their dorms were
also ordered to shelter in place by the
Columbia Administration so everything
you've brought up from the violence to
people being held against their will
this is being perpetuated by the POS
people in positions of Power by the
administrations of these universities
and by the police Police Department who
was being used to crush peaceful protest
who was being used to show up in riot
gear and turn an otherwise peaceful
situation um into a riot never forget
that in 1968 150 protesters occupied the
same exact Hall that the students of
Colombia are were occupying as of last
night and forced to come out of Hamilton
Hall which they renamed hins Hall in
honor of the 5-year-old Palestinian girl
who was killed who had to sit in a car
with her family member for hours her
family members for hours while they
decayed while they rotted after being
killed by the Israeli Army and she
starved um to death nobody was able to
get to her um so you know okay the this
in 1968 Hamilton Hall was occupied by
over 150 students uh protesting South
African apartheid and this kind of
police violence wasn't used against them
and they are remembered in history as
Heroes so continuing the long held
tradition of University activism this is
what they were doing at this is what we
were doing at cuni and all the
encampments that we see not just in the
US but all seven continents I have to
move on because I have I have four other
guest but I appreciate you joining me
thank you very much but joining me now
is the independent presidential
candidate Cornell West who teaches at
Columbia and joins some of the student
protests the Fox News contributor cat
Tim former BLM supporter Javier deuso of
preu pru who broke into a pro
Palestinian encampment at UCLA and The
Young Turks founder Jen yugar uh Kat I
want to start with you because I know
you've got a a slight time constraint um
so I want to start with you and just
talk about one aspect of this which is
the whole issue of free speech in this
debate and we're going to get into the
two sides part of it in a moment with
the other guest but from a free speech
perspective what is your take on what
we're seeing
here so I've been very open about my
about this issue I think there's been
not quite enough focus on the Free
Speech issue I think that for example
you could look at Texas government
Abbott who in 2019 was saying there has
to be free speech on campuses there has
to be the first amendment on campuses
then on March 27th he signed something
that limits speech on campus including
constitutionally protected speech
including criticism of Israel's
government I think that what the
Constitution says is is very very clear
that that even hate speech is Free
Speech right so you can debate whether
something is or is not hate speech and
the debate you just have with your last
guest proves that there is some dis
agreement on that and the main point is
the government should not be the one
deciding what is and is not uh we have
Indi a spokesperson for the Indiana uh
police department saying hate speech
isn't free speech well that just simply
isn't true and it's the whole idea of
what it's always been which is that you
don't want the government to be in the
position of deciding what speech is and
is not allowed because that is going to
be dangerous for anyone including
including Jew Jewish students right I
mean there there was no free speech
obvious ly in Hitler's Germany right and
saying that Free Speech something is
First Amendment protected free speech is
not that you don't have to say you agree
with it and you can totally bring up the
fact that maybe it's been less
consistent in terms of uh all of a
sudden now a lot of these University
presidents are super pro- free speech
when it comes to this when they haven't
been in the past but to me that's not
going to cause me to be hypocritical on
this issue I'm I'm a First Amendment
absolutist I was in 2019 I was before
2019 and I still am today what if you
are chanting
inter given the history of
interfers between Israel and Palestine
uh twice in the last 30 years we know
what interfers have been there there've