Central Machine Works
Words Matter
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 26, 2024
Dear Editor,
Hi. I am an Israeli person living in Austin because I was forcibly displaced from my home in the North due to the terrorist organization Hezbollah firing rockets at us daily for more than one year since Oct. 8, 2023.
My friend has been held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists for more than one year.
It would be really great if in your articles you would please consider your language more carefully. In the article by Brant Bingamon from Nov. 22, 2024, entitled “The Right-Wingification of UT,” he wrote “Israel’s war on Palestine.” This is an anti-Israel biased incorrect and unprofessional terminology. The official, professional way to say it would be “Israel’s war against Hamas,” “Israel’s war on terror,” or even “Israel’s war in Gaza.” Please commit to being unbiased and sensitive at this time. This has absolutely nothing to do with thinking the war must end now or not as the majority of Israelis I know actually think now is the time for a cease-fire and hostage release deal and an end in Gaza, but the language used can create subconscious bias and hate.
I saw some of the protesters at UT. I saw with my own eyes a Hezbollah flag and very problematic signs that weren’t at all peaceful but actually racist against Jewish people, and that were pro-terrorism and pro-war. I am 100% fine with people protesting peacefully when following any rules of any institution or place and I’m certain there were also peaceful and non-hateful protesters, but students' learnings their parents paid good money for all over the country have been deeply damaged and interrupted when the universities have allowed these campuswide takeovers. That is absolutely nothing to do with left wing or right wing. I am left wing and thought on the left we value education. You can’t cancel classes, block buildings, and intimidate students who disagree with you, especially if you’re a professor, all of which has happened. It’s not the same as a polite and respectful march outside through the campus every Sunday from 1-2pm or something like that where it can be both planned for so as to not interrupt other’s teaching and learning but also for students to be heard. This was the concern happening and it’s really sad to see this writer completely miss the legitimate concerns raised about encampments and dismiss it all as “right-wing.” In poll after poll, most Americans think universities have been too easy on student protesters and one of the very few cases where this wasn’t so was UT, who learned in advance that education was too important and you have to follow basic rules. What if the protests were about support for Trump or support for neo-Nazis? Would you think the encampments are great? People need to use critical thinking. It’s the principle of you have to follow rules and protest at designated places and times so education isn’t ruined. Anyway, thank you for your time.
Hi. I am an Israeli person living in Austin because I was forcibly displaced from my home in the North due to the terrorist organization Hezbollah firing rockets at us daily for more than one year since Oct. 8, 2023.
My friend has been held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists for more than one year.
It would be really great if in your articles you would please consider your language more carefully. In the article by Brant Bingamon from Nov. 22, 2024, entitled “The Right-Wingification of UT,” he wrote “Israel’s war on Palestine.” This is an anti-Israel biased incorrect and unprofessional terminology. The official, professional way to say it would be “Israel’s war against Hamas,” “Israel’s war on terror,” or even “Israel’s war in Gaza.” Please commit to being unbiased and sensitive at this time. This has absolutely nothing to do with thinking the war must end now or not as the majority of Israelis I know actually think now is the time for a cease-fire and hostage release deal and an end in Gaza, but the language used can create subconscious bias and hate.
I saw some of the protesters at UT. I saw with my own eyes a Hezbollah flag and very problematic signs that weren’t at all peaceful but actually racist against Jewish people, and that were pro-terrorism and pro-war. I am 100% fine with people protesting peacefully when following any rules of any institution or place and I’m certain there were also peaceful and non-hateful protesters, but students' learnings their parents paid good money for all over the country have been deeply damaged and interrupted when the universities have allowed these campuswide takeovers. That is absolutely nothing to do with left wing or right wing. I am left wing and thought on the left we value education. You can’t cancel classes, block buildings, and intimidate students who disagree with you, especially if you’re a professor, all of which has happened. It’s not the same as a polite and respectful march outside through the campus every Sunday from 1-2pm or something like that where it can be both planned for so as to not interrupt other’s teaching and learning but also for students to be heard. This was the concern happening and it’s really sad to see this writer completely miss the legitimate concerns raised about encampments and dismiss it all as “right-wing.” In poll after poll, most Americans think universities have been too easy on student protesters and one of the very few cases where this wasn’t so was UT, who learned in advance that education was too important and you have to follow basic rules. What if the protests were about support for Trump or support for neo-Nazis? Would you think the encampments are great? People need to use critical thinking. It’s the principle of you have to follow rules and protest at designated places and times so education isn’t ruined. Anyway, thank you for your time.
Maya Bloom