Carlos O. Cortez, its new Chancellor San Diego The Community College District announced on Monday the cancellation of its investment ceremony due to criticism of the keynote speaker.
The free, public event with a keynote address by the author Alice Walker was scheduled to take place on May 31 in Petco Park.
Walker, who received the Pulitizer Award in 1983 for her famous novel “The Color PurpleHas been accused of taking anti-Semitic positions in recent years.
“In recent weeks, concerns have been expressed about the political beliefs and writings of Investiture keynote speaker Alice Walker. “At the same time, others have expressed their support for Mrs Walker,” Cortez said in a statement.
“As a region celebrating accession, we believe the best way forward is to cancel the event altogether. I apologize for the pain caused to any member of our community. “The investment scheduled for May 31 will not take place,” he said.
In 2018, Walker said interview with the New York Times that he is a fan of conspiracy theories David Ike whose writings have anti-Semitic themes. Her own recent poem “To study the TalmudHas been criticized as anti-Semitic. Walker, whose first husband was Jewish, denies being anti-Semitic.
Last September, the union representing the region’s teachers approved a resolution condemning Israel and challenging the right of the Jewish state to exist. Union leaders have denied that the resolution was anti-Semitic.
The San Diego College area is one of the largest in California with 100,000 students at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges and the district’s continuing education program.
Community College President Cancels Ceremony Over Keynote Speaker’s Alleged Antisemitism Source link Community College President Cancels Ceremony Over Keynote Speaker’s Alleged Antisemitism