The controversy began when Brooke Johnson, an associate professor and coordinator of NEIU’s sociology department, had sent emails justifying the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The controversy began when Brooke Johnson, an associate professor and coordinator of NEIU’s sociology department, had sent emails justifying the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The situation at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) has garnered significant attention following a report by Fox News about sociology professors sending mass anti-Israel emails to students and staff members.
In response, NEIU Interim President Dr. Katrina Bell-Jordan issued a comprehensive statement to the university community, expressing the institution’s commitment to free speech and diverse perspectives.
Bell-Jordan’s statement, sent to everyone through email, highlighted the university’s values of community and diversity. She stressed the importance of allowing the expression of varied opinions under the First Amendment while also acknowledging that not all perspectives represent “the views of the entire university.”
“Northeastern values community and diversity. And as an educated institution, we have a responsibility and commitment to allow our community to express their opinions under the First Amendment even when we may not agree with what is being said. We must also remember that no single perspective represents the views of the entire University,” Bell-Jordan wrote to students and staff.
“We ask our community to continue to be mindful that many in our NEIU community may be grieving and otherwise struggling with loss and anxiety related to the violence in Gaza and Israel. No words are adequate under these circumstances, and yet, the anguish of tragedy requires that we come together to support and care for one another,” she added.
The controversy began when Brooke Johnson, an associate professor and coordinator of NEIU’s sociology department, sent emails explaining the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas. Johnson’s emails, which detailed alleged Israeli actions and their consequences, sparked strong reactions among students and staff. Some students expressed distress and disagreement with the accusations leveled against Israel, challenging the assertions of “white supremacy” and “systemic violence.”
“After 75 years of Israeli White supremacy, including displacement, human rights violations, and systemic violence, Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, which resulted in 1,400 deaths and 240 hostages. Israel is now collectively punishing Palestinians. The Palestinian death toll from Israeli airstrikes exceeds 10,000, and almost half of these are children. This number increases daily as airstrikes continue. Water, food, and medical aid are cut off. And demands for a humanitarian cease-fire increase,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson also encouraged students and staff to engage with various materials and activities to deepen their understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. This included reading lists with titles focused on Palestinian rights and socialist perspectives, as well as participation in protests and advocacy for a humanitarian cease-fire.
The emails also mentioned resources like “The Electronic Intifada,” a pro-Palestinian publication, contextualizing the historical significance of the First and Second Intifadas and their impact on the Israeli and Palestinian communities.
Another NEIU Sociology Professor, Brett Stockdill, reportedly sent mass emails supporting the “NEIU Students, Staff, Faculty, and Alumni for Justice in Palestine.” The emails called for a ceasefire and the protection of individuals advocating for Palestinian human rights. The open letter associated with this group explicitly rejected the notion that criticism of Israel is inherently antisemitic statements and called for an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza.
“At a time of such staggering civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, there is a simultaneous occurrence of unprecedented national and media-driven campaigns aimed at suppressing or stigmatizing voices that advocate for Palestinian human rights. In response, we urge our colleagues and administration to derive inspiration from the core values of Northeastern Illinois University,” the open letter read.
The situation at NEIU underscores the complexities of academic freedom, the right to free speech, and the sensitive nature of international conflicts. While the university administration seeks to uphold these principles, the specific content of the emails and the reactions they elicited reflect broader debates about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of academia in political discourse, and the boundaries of free speech in educational settings.
As the situation continues to evolve, NEIU’s administration and its community face the challenge of balancing the expression of diverse viewpoints with the need for a respectful and supportive educational environment. The university’s response, as articulated by Bell-Jordan, indicates a commitment to these values even amidst challenging and divisive issues.
