What's at Stake at Columbia University (and beyond)?

About this episode

The episode discusses a protest at Columbia University led by Professor Christopher Brown in response to recent events affecting students and academic freedom.

We saw this clip of Columbia University History Professor Christopher Brown and wanted to share it far and wide. Dr. Brown delivered these remarks on Monday, April 20 at a faculty-led “Rally to Support our Students and Reclaim our University.” He was responding to two events: Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s Congressional Testimony on April 17 and the arrest of more than 100 Columbia students the next day. Professor Brown focuses on what is happening at Columbia but his words serve as a powerful rejoinder to any and all: * grandstanding politicians, who have no real understanding or appreciation of the mission of higher education * timid academic leaders, who lack the wherewithal to stand up for faculty and make a case for the transcendent values of academic freedom and open inquiry Here is a transcript of Professor Brown’s remarks: Good afternoon. I’m Christopher Brown, professor in the history department. This is the first time I’ve ever held a microphone at a protest of any kind. I’m not sure whether that’s something to take pride in or not but I say it because this is not typical for me. I’m here because I am so concerned about what has happened at this university. With…

People in this episode

Hosts: Amna Khalid, Jeff Snyder

Guest: Christopher Brown

Topics covered

• higher education
• academic freedom
• protests
• Columbia University
• political response
• student activism

Keywords

• Columbia University
• Christopher Brown
• academic freedom
• protest
• Minouche Shafik
• student activism
• higher education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Columbia University

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