Columbia's De Genova responds -and it's worse than we thought!

Columbia Spectator ^ | Nicholas De Genova

[Ignatz]

To the Editor:
Spectator, now for the second time in less than a year, has succeeded to quote me in a remarkably decontextualized and inflammatory manner. In Margaret Hunt Gram's report on the faculty teach-in against the war in Iraq (March 27, 2003), I am quoted as wishing for a million Mogadishus but with no indication whatsoever of the perspective that framed that remark. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that your Staff Editorial in the same issue, denouncing the teach-in for "dogmatism," situates me in particular as the premier example of an academic "launching tirades against anything and everything American."

In my brief presentation, I outlined a long history of U.S. invasions, wars of conquest, military occupations, and colonization in order to establish that imperialism and white supremacy have been constitutive of U.S. nation-state formation and U.S. nationalism. In that context, I stressed the necessity of repudiating all forms of U.S. patriotism. I also emphasized that the disproportionate majority of U.S. troops come from racially subordinated and working-class backgrounds and are in the military largely as a consequence of a treacherous lack of prospects for a decent life. Nonetheless, I emphasized that U.S. troops are indeed confronted with a choice--to perpetrate this war against the Iraqi people or to refuse to fight and contribute toward the defeat of the U.S. war machine.

I also affirmed that Iraqi liberation can only be effected by the Iraqi people themselves, both by resisting and defeating the U.S. invasion as well as overthrowing a regime whose brutality was long sustained by none other than the U.S. Such an anti-colonial struggle for self-determination might involve a million Mogadishus now but would ultimately have to become something more like another Vietnam. Vietnam was a stunning defeat for U.S. imperialism; as such, it was also a victory for the cause of human self-determination.

Is this a tirade against "anything and everything American"? Far from it. First, I hasten to remind you that "American" refers to all of the Americas, not merely to the United States, as U.S. imperial chauvinism would have it. More importantly, my rejection of U.S. nationalism is an appeal to liberate our own political imaginations such that we might usher in a radically different world in which we will not remain the prisoners of U.S. global domination.

Nicholas De Genova
March 21, 2003
The author is an assistant professor of anthropology and latina/o studies.

[Ditto]

I also emphasized that the disproportionate majority of U.S. troops come from racially subordinated and working-class backgrounds and are in the military largely as a consequence of a treacherous lack of prospects for a decent life.

Total crock of s**t. What military is this guy looking at?

[EaglesUpForever]

a treacherous lack of prospects for a decent life.

If America has a treacherous lack of prospects... how does an adolescent-brained Marxist become a "professor" at Columbia?

This guy is a brain dead communist, don't bother to reply to him, just make sure that he is terminated from any employment that involves teaching.

[Mike K]

I'll keep your brother in my prayers and hope that you or he get to meet DiGenova soon. He's earned it.

[Mister Baredog]

You are covering your exposed butt hoping you do not lose your departments funding

It's great fun watching liberal self-destruction going on all around us! Freedom of speech doesn't mean getting a pass for WHAT one says. The "straw man cry" from these morons is "bwaaaa he called me unpatriotic bwaaaaa. To some of us anti-Americanism is. That too is freedom of speech. Killing off Peter Arnet was almost too easy, this guys next(large benefactors of Columbia are weighing in). Thank you Lord for providing us such clear contrasts.

[TonyWojo]

I also emphasized that the disproportionate majority of U.S. troops come from racially subordinated and working-class backgrounds and are in the military largely as a consequence of a treacherous lack of prospects for a decent life.

He is one disgusting SOB

[mattdono]

You know, academics and entertainment types have one HUGE characteristic in common: insulation.

I don't think that these people are stupid (yeah, ok, they are, but go with me for a minute), they just don't have a concept of consequence for things that they say.

These are the same people that CONSTANTLY (maybe incessantly) tell us that "words can hurt" and someone's thought is just as bad as their deed (i.e., "hate crime" vs. "regular" crime). Why are they surprised when it comes back on them?

I guess because they are elitist, hippie scum.

[PhilDragoo]

Write to Mogadeshu de Genova's boss:

bollinger@columbia.edu

President Bollinger

Your cya statement is not enough.

You must fire Nicholas de Genova now.

Phil Dragoo

[pepsi_junkie]

Such an anti-colonial struggle for self-determination might involve a million Mogadishus now but would ultimately have to become something more like another Vietnam. Vietnam was a stunning defeat for U.S. imperialism; as such, it was also a victory for the cause of human self-determination.

Oh, I understand now. He wants a million Mogadishus and another Vietnam to boot. He really was misunderstood.

If he was truly an intellectually honest person, he'd allow his own corpse to be dragged through the streets of Baghdad in order to get the ball rolling. I suspect he will, instead, remain in Manhattan sipping latte and teaching idiots that America is the worst place on earth. Atleast I take one comfort, for once the most insane and offensive liberal professor isnt at my alma mater, Penn.

[scubadave]

Didn't Charlie Rangel (D-NY) repeat this propaganda to bolster his plan for a revived draft, ignoring the higher percentage of WHITE males who are in dangerous combat positions?

[pgyanke]

then somewhere on this planet there must be some gigantic territory with a sign saying "Property of the United States of America" on it. Where is this territory?

It's not hard to find. Most of this territory is characterized by small stone markings with the names of individual brave Americans.

[Bigg Red]

The newspapers say that he's "in hiding."

Gee, maybe Salman Rushdie will let him borrow his bunker. What a worthless piece of clinton! American imperialism? How can these people be so lacking in critical thinking skills? Drugs?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

"latina/o" studies."

Horseshit !

[ThomasMore]

my rejection of U.S. nationalism

Then PLEASE --- Do us all a favor and EFFIN' LEAVE. What a jerk.

[Dog Gone]

What's amazing is that this professor thinks his explanation makes him sound more reasonable.

And did you notice that he's a professor of "latina/o" studies? He's apparently unable to even acknowledge gender in the spanish language.

[AmericanInTokyo]

They MUST have huddled in the Anthropology Departement this morning and said amongst themselves, "hmmm. Now how can we write a form letter to the thousands of messages we are getting from flyover country, that will slap Nickie a little somewhat publicly, cool this thing down a bit, but still allow Nickie to stay on staff. Oh, and heavens, we need to stand up against all those threatening rednecks while we are at it."

I'd answer their milquetoast letter and tell to shove it, and tell them it is patently unacceptable. That you want action. Specify the action you want. Ask for them to reply again.

[francisr]

thank you for your letter - please keep the pressure up on this - call/write and stay with it
think of the thousands of minds he would infect in a career -
stay clear and concise
and contact the alumni assoc.

[pgyanke]

What military is this guy looking at?

The military portrayed in Hollywood films. Some professor...

[Bigg Red]

Excellent points!

[Ignatz]

Professor Nicholas Dirks,
Chair, Department of Anthropology

Hey, f, I'm on a roll. Do you have an email address for this guy? He needs to understand the U.S. Constitution and the responsibilities that come with the freedom of speech.

[Cold Heat]

American" refers to all of the Americas, not merely to the United States, as U.S. imperial chauvinism would have it. More importantly, my rejection of U.S. nationalism is an appeal to liberate our own political imaginations

I just spit all over my keyboard! I just can't imagine what is in this guys mind except for too many drugs!