Colleges have been in the forefront of imposing "speech codes" which penalize students and faculty members who, in the view of university powers—that—be, engage in conduct or speech that can be interpreted as "hate speech." Usually, this punishment has been meted out to students who make disparaging comments regarding blacks, homosexuals, Latinos, Asians, and Muslims. Conservatives have also stated that they feel their speech has been limited by college officials and some, such as David Horowitx, have advocated an "Academic Bill of Rights," to ensure they have the freedom to espouse their views, without fear of punishment.
 
Over a year ago, the Ford Foundation was exposed as having granted money to groups that harbor and preach hatred of Jews, Christians, and the Israel. The United Nations World Conference Against Racism became a veritable hate—fest as groups from around the world preached hatred towards Jews. Many of these groups had been recipients of years of Ford Foundation grants.

After some stonewalling and denial, the Ford Foundation commendably agreed to restructure its aid programs, to prohibit gifts to groups that promote "violence, terrorism, bigotry and the destruction of any state." Now, the Wall Street Journal reports (link requires paid subscription), that colleges are objecting to this new wording in Ford grants.

College administrators apparently feel that what is sauce for the goose should not be sauce for the gander.  While the college poobahs are more than willing to determine what speech constitutes prohibited speech within their fiefdoms, they are refusing to permit the Ford Foundation to exercise its freedom to impose speech requirements on groups receiving its funds.
 
Apparently, colleges want to encourage (and be paid for) speech that demonizes Jews, Israel, and encourages terror.
 
This cynical and paradoxical state of affairs illuminates the squalid reasoning going on at our universities. College administrators have become dictators within their realm. They defend college professors who freely attack America, Jews, and Israel under free speech principles. But feel free to punish others who may, say, disparage blacks, Muslims, and other favored groups.

Posted by Ed  05 04 04