Barnard College’s Dorm Decor Policy in Focus Amid Explosion of Anti-Jewish Blood Libel

By: Jared Evan

Barnard College’s recent directive mandating the removal of all dorm decorations featuring messages has ignited a robust debate on campus and beyond, sparking discussions about free expression, inclusivity, and the handling of sensitive political issues, the New York Post reported.

The policy, communicated through a letter from Barnard College Dean Leslie Grinage, aims to prevent the isolation of students with differing beliefs.

While Grinage emphasized the importance of fostering respect and empathy, the broad application of the policy to all decorations, regardless of political content, has raised concerns among students and observers alike.

Essentially the extremist, leftist, Pro- Hamas students have made college so dangerous and intimidating for the Jewish people,  Barnard college is choosing to censor politically active students, instead of simply  targeting, the Jew hating brigades.

Students have been given until Wednesday to comply with the directive, prompting questions about the balance between preserving free speech and maintaining a welcoming environment for all. The move comes in the wake of previous disciplinary actions taken against students for displaying a Pro-Palestinian banner on campus, leading some to speculate about its potential connection to ongoing tensions over political issues, notably the conflict in Gaza.

The policy’s sweeping nature has drawn criticism from some quarters, with students expressing frustration over the perceived limitation of their ability to express themselves.

While acknowledging the importance of fostering an inclusive environment, many question whether such measures are necessary to achieve this goal. Some argue that the policy risks stifling open dialogue and debate, particularly on contentious issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has long been a topic of heated discussion on college campuses.

The Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group has been vocal in its opposition to the policy, viewing it as an infringement on students’ freedom of expression. They argue that such measures not only suppress dissenting voices but also undermine the principles of academic freedom and free speech that are essential to a vibrant and intellectually stimulating campus community. The only problem with their reasonably sounding argument is that their ideology is generally shunned by the civilized world, they practice the art of blood libel against the Jewish people, and disguise it as a “Palestine movement.”

The policy’s announcement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over anti-Semitism on college campuses, with Barnard College and Columbia University facing a lawsuit filed by Jewish students alleging that the institutions have failed to address rising anti-Semitism amidst protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict. Documents filed in federal court cite a surge in anti-Semitic incidents since October 7, 2023, following the Hamas invasion of Israel.

In response to the lawsuit and concerns about anti-Semitism, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has launched an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at three New York schools, including Columbia and Barnard.

The controversy surrounding Barnard College’s dorm decor policy underscores broader challenges facing institutions in upholding free expression while fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.

The reality of the issue is simple, although the university trying to remain politically correct  won’t spell it out : pro Hamas and Palestine students, have violently intimidated students and have spread deadly blood libel, the kind that got 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and endless other pogroms.

Instead of only banning the radical, anti-Zionist left from spreading their Jew hating Nazilike  propaganda,  they instead will ban a broad swath of political expression.