Over the past 18 years, I have spoken at hundreds of colleges in 45 states. Because of Trump “Making America Great Again” by intimidating and defunding colleges, it appears as if extracurricular activities, such as bringing in entertaining and educational speakers like me, is all but dead. I understand the tough choices colleges have to make under fascism: they have to cut from somewhere and cutting speaking fees is a logical choice.
Financially I’ll be fine. I don’t need the money. But it still pisses me off! That Trump can get away with declaring “DEI is illegal” and that so many colleges are capitulating rather than fighting is scary fascist shit.
Also, students protesting is an American tradition. But now the Trump Administration equates protesting genocide committed by Israel as the equivalent to antisemitism. In truth, Trump doesn’t give a shit about Jews. They are just another group, like conservative Christians, with a significant number of people he thinks he can manipulate with a few token favors.
Personally, I will always condemn all bigotry toward the Jewish people. Yet being that I am an intelligent person, I am also capable of condemning Israel’s obvious and illegal genocide. The two positions are not interlocked!
As I was reading a story today about Trump going after UCLA, I was also disappointed that the university has now bowed down to Trump. UCLA’s Chancellor Julio Frenk has launched an initiative to combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias. Combating antisemitism is great. But “anti-Israeli bias”?
Since when is disagreeing with the actions of any country a bias? Think about it: Is there any country in the world other than Israel that an American can oppose and be accused of having a bias? Do we have an “anti-Russian bias” if we condemn Putin’s bombing of Ukraine? Does Donald Trump have an “anti-Canadian bias” because he hates that the country is too nice?
We live in fucked up times!
And as a result, my long-running college speaking career, which had inspired thousands of students to protect nature, celebrate diverse cultures, and oppose corporate polluters, appears to be over.