View from a room in Chicago, where this past weekend NE neglected to venture to the Empty Bottle to take in a Silver Apples show, yet managed to consume margaritas from a tap, hot fudge out of a microwaveable pouch, and direct sunlight, all at U.S. Cellular Field. There was a Sarah Grand novel somewhere in there, as well, courtesy of Myopic in Chicago. We're only human--and we were celebrating a birthday. Love and thanks to Lauren Leigh for some local knowledge and advice, and for helping us find delicious and cheap burritos. (La Pasadita!)Now, back to business.
Columbia University has reclaimed (from DePaul University) its rightful place as the epicenter of highly dubious and ideologically-motivated tenure fights. Barnard College has already approved for tenure anthropologist Nadia Abu El-Haj, author of the excellent and rigorous Facts on the Ground, an examination of the use of archeology in Israeli society and politics, and an account--dating back to the Mandate period--of the ways in which Israel, through a mix of archaeology, politics, and violence has tried to nullify any Palestinian claim to the land which now forms the Israeli state. Despite Barnard's approval, Nadia's fate now ultimately lies with Lee Fucking Bollinger, as Columbia has final jurisdiction regarding tenure at Barnard. We apologize for not being the slightest bit optimistic for Nadia, as Bollinger has gone to great lengths recently (most notably through a couple full-page ads in the New York Times) to defend Israel against Britain's Association of University Teachers, who are suggesting a boycott of Israeli academics for their tacit support of Israeli policies in the Occupied Territories and the south of Lebanon. As was the case with Norman Finkelstein, Nadia's qualifications for tenure are unquestionable, and her work is vital.
More on Finkelstein: following a settlement with DePaul, he has formally resigned from his teaching post. Link is to an interview with Finkelstein and his attorney, conducted by the venerable Amy Goodman.
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