This will have been the shortest tenure in the university’s history. Harvard President Claudine Gay announced her resignation on Tuesday, January 2, after accusations of plagiarism and a highly criticized speech during the Congress on the fight against anti-Semitism on campuses.
A position considered ambiguous
Last July she became the first black president of the prestigious Harvard University. However, criticism and controversy have increased towards her in recent weeks. Initially targeted by accusations of plagiarism on her academic work, fueled by a conservative website, she was criticized above all for not having clearly condemned calls for the genocide of Jews during a conference dedicated to combating anti-Semitism on campuses.
As told The worldduring this congress, the president was questioned “unceremoniously by Republican-elect Elise Stefanik, who compared some students’ calls for the “Intifada” to an incitement to “genocide against Jews in Israel and around the world.” When MMyself Stefanik asked whether “calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard’s harassment policy, yes or no?” “, MMyself Gay replied: “It can, depending on the context,” before adding: “If it’s directed at a person.” » “.
Personal attacks
His response then caused a stir. She had recognized his embarrassment and had tried to clarify his position with the University student newspaper, as reported The world : “What I should have had the presence of mind to do in that moment was return to the truth that guides me, which is that calls for violence against our Jewish community – threats against our Jewish students – have no place at Harvard and will never go unanswered”. Despite this mea culpa, the damage was done: more than 70 lawmakers, including two Democrats, as well as former students and prominent donors, had called for his departure.
In his resignation letter, as translated by The worldthe president explained her choice to withdraw following pressure: ” It was painful to see my determination to fight hatred and uphold scientific rigor – two core values that are essential to me – questioned, and it was scary to have to suffer personal attacks and threats fueled by racism.”.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
