Holocaust Denial and Academic Freedom

As a newly-tenured associate professor, I’m frankly amazed to have come across this statement from Lincoln University — America’s first historically black university — regarding one of their associate professors, Kaukab Siddique.

The long and short of the matter is this: Professor Siddique recently made comments calling for the dismantling of Israel and, previously, he made the claim — in writing and in public pronouncements — that the Holocaust never happened.

Here’s the statement from the office of Lincoln’s president:

Lincoln University Associate Professor Kaukab Siddique, in a recent rally in Washington, DC, called for the dismantling of Israel, and in earlier writings and pronouncements asserted that the Holocaust never occurred.  His latest activities, like his earlier writings and statements, are an insult to all decent people. I hope everyone understands that Dr. Siddique’s statements and assertions are his own, and they in no way represent the views of Lincoln University or me.  His statements on this issue reflect poorly on the reputation and integrity of Lincoln University.

The University acknowledges the Holocaust as a well-documented historical fact and does not condone the incitement to destruct any population or state by any means. 
 
Dr. Siddique is a tenured associate professor in the Department of English and Mass Communications. Like all faculty members, he is entitled to express his personal views in conversation or in public forums, as long as he does not present such opinions as the views of the University.
 
Dr. Siddique has made it apparent that his opinions are his own and are not a part of his curriculum.  Like all professors, he is expected to adhere to an approved syllabus. 

Therefore, we cannot take action at this time based on the content of Dr. Siddique’s statements and opinions – no matter how insidious they may be - without undermining the principles on which Lincoln University was founded and the values by which we exist today.

It’s certainly true that this professor — like all people — may express whatever opinions he likes. But, as I recently argued, it completely wrong-headed to believe that we may say whatever we like without any consequences at all.

If we express opinions that are “insidious,” opinions that are outright lies and that encourage targeting a particular group, we shouldn’t expect that our employers will condone our behavior under the banner of academic freedom.

Academic freedom allows professors to conduct controversial research; it doesn’t act as a shield for lies and incitement to violence against historically marginalized groups.

But, despite the disapproving rhetoric, that’s exactly what Lincoln University seems to be doing here: the fact that Siddique’s opinions were expressed as his own and that he doesn’t include them in his syllabi doesn’t alter by one iota the fact that Lincoln is providing a platform for a Holocaust denier.

It’s very sad to see that the Lincoln’s president doesn’t understand that failure to take action against Holocaust denial directly “undermin[es] the principles on which Lincoln university was founded and the values by which we exist today.”

HT: Jerry Kohen.