In each generation, societies are confronted with a determining choice: building or destroying.
Higher education is at an intersection. As a scientist and a trustee of Columbia University, I am first -handed how an institution ever praised as a pillar of intellectual progress can be threatened, not only by enemies without, but also by an ideology from within – one that celebrates chaos about creation, grievances about growth and destruction.
The majority of my family left Iran during the revolution (I am a Persian Jew) in the light of violence, extremism, oppression and destruction. My family chose to emigrate to the United States because it is a nation of hope, freedom and opportunities. Through education, dedication and hard work we have been able to reach the “American dream” – we are doctors, nurses, scientists, engineers, mothers, fathers – all productive, contributing members of society, who deal with our communities.
Jewish student arranges religious discrimination -right case against Columbia
I obtained my doctorate in Columbia. It was the process of my life, opened doors for scientific discovery and inspired me to find a biotech company that focuses on promoting treatments for patients with rare diseases. That experience – from curiosity, exploration and non -repellent innovation – was immediately derived from the principles of academic freedom and leadership at Columbia University.
In the spring of 2024, however, my house was filled with students (my children and many of their classmates) who no longer felt safe on Columbia campus. Their fears did not come from intellectual challenge or debate – it stemmed from intimidation. Protesters, many masked, others encouraged by institutional tolerance, took control of the physical environment of the university. They conclude classrooms, buildings and libraries.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Pro-Palestinian students lock up weapons, singing and singing while they are bracing themselves for the New York Police Department officers to plunder the campus after the then president of Columbia University Minouche Shafik had called on the Nypd to dismantle camps in New York. (Seyma Bayram via AP)
Columbia recently released a report on anti -Semitism and campus climate, which shows that this chaos and destruction students from both Jewish (87%) and the Muslim (83%) backgrounds are concerned about expressing their beliefs and the majority of students of both religions felt unsafe.
After I had pronounced my worries about anti -Semitism on campus, I became a target of certain media votes that were determined to erase for decades of work, service and stock market with a few calculated, malignant vests of a pen.
What these critics do not understand is this: it is easy to destroy, but we are a nation of builders. One of my proud performance is to create a company, research into research, discovering new medicines – that is what it means to build. Builders focus on innovation, problem solving and positive change, while destroyers are characterized by negativity and disruption and striving to break down existing systems. It requires passion, creativity and courage to put yourself on the front line – to create and share something with the world.
That’s why I wanted to give back to my Alma Mater, which gave me so much. In recent years I have seen how easy it is to destroy an institution, a reputation or a life’s work. It is even easier to do this from behind a computer or behind a mask, where people do not have to take a personal responsibility for what they have done. It is important to acknowledge that although this destruction attracts attention, it is passing; Positive change has long -term effects. My life’s work has taught me that creating is typically difficult, not -glamorous work. It does not get newspaper heads. It’s not going viral. It is not done from behind a mask or in the shade of Tiktok. It requires dedication, strictness, compassion and dedication.
Acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman was interrupted by students during graduation, who sang ‘Free Mahmoud’, argued that Mahmoud Khalil was released. (Columbia University)
Columbia University has consistently served as a hub for innovators. It has raised statesmen, Nobel Prize winners and medical pioneers. The laboratories have produced cancer therapies and climate models. The classrooms have cultivated intellectuals that have formed economies and peace treaties.
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The real Columbia – My Columbia – is a monument of progress formed by generations of human endeavor. However, monuments can be destroyed and dismantled. And these current campaigns have not been acts of civil dialogue; They have been desecration. Of the debt instead of resolving. Tear apart instead of sewing together. The world is full of torpedo hunters. Their work is fast, loud and rarely sustainable. But it is the builders – the makers – who carry humanity ahead.
Low Memorial Library, Columbia University, New York City. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This transcends Columbia University. It is about a moral choice that confronts our nation – especially that endowed with the power to shape the institutions of America. Do we increase or dismantle? Are we studying students to think critically, find the truth and then grow, or do we allow this new form of campus intimidation to silence people with opposing views and to destroy educational opportunities for an entire generation?
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As parents we can start our training of the next generation in our houses. We can teach our children to contribute positively to the world – to build our society instead of destroying. This training must continue in the best institutions of our nation, where our youngest leaders learn to grow through diversity of opinions. We must ensure compliance with non-violent freedom of expression, non-intimidation, willingness to hear ideas that are different from those of our own and to learn with an open mind.
Our educational institutions must reflect the hope, freedom and opportunities that our nation offers us all. Let us build up settings such as Columbia to ensure that hatred and chaos do not dominate and everyone feels admitted and respected. This is the moment of our generation. Construction requires courage and in turn our courage will spread across America. Let’s build again.
