Part one might have seemed inflammatory, but there is a legitimate issue here that Claremont McKenna College needs to address. The silence is unfortunate since it impacts student life at the Claremont Colleges in general. The only official statement to date was published in December 2010.
Frangieh resigned from Yale in 2007. Since arriving in Claremont, he has not been guilty of any similar proclamations. Part one cited a list of sources in which he signed petitions against American support for Israel, the US involvement in the war in Iraq, and “Zionist” plots to overthrow Iraq, all of which occurred prior to his resignation. Granted there were many protesters to the Iraq war. What makes this any different? I would suggest the degree of protest should raise concern. It is one thing to challenge U.S. policy. Quite another to openly endorse its enemies such as Hezbollah, Hamas and Saddam Hussein. Frangieh’s track record is far from moderate. And, to be aligned with Holocaust deniers and anti-Semites.
Roberta Seid from Stand With Us has recently written a thought provoking article on Campus Watch outlining Frangieh’s plans to direct an overseas study program for Claremont College students. She likewise feels his questionable past is something that needs to be taken seriously. He has been tremendously popular at Yale, which has been documented in the Yale Daily News. This magnetism implies influence over young impressionable minds. Claremont McKenna needs to consider this aspect of his character in light of his recent proposal.
To put things in perspective: (1) America is a forgiving nation which is a commendable, necessary quality. (2) There have been wrongs done on both sides of the Middle East debacle. And, (3) His concern for Israeli treatment of Lebanese and Palestinian peoples is understandable.
However, the problem is that he is using his position as an educator in the United States to voice such extreme support. If Professor Frangieh were a human rights activist in the Middle East, his thoughts would be contextually appropriate. His opportunity to live in America, teach, publish and educate affords tremendous status and privilege. This is a wonderful part of what makes America a great nation. There must be greater respect for the land in which he now resides. This carelessness demonstrated in his past gives reason to question the appropriateness of his leadership over the Middle Eastern Studies Department for all of the Claremont Colleges.
Should he be given the ability to ferry students from the Claremont Colleges to the Middle East? It is difficult to prove his intentions, but there probably could be a better candidate whose track record is not as sordid. Claremont McKenna’s silence is deafening. One year is long enough for the Colleges or Professor Frangieh himself to address these legitimate community.
