UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl
defends racist anti-Muslim cartoon
published in student newspaper

Bigoted cartoon may increase hate crimes
against Arab Americans and Muslims

by
Ernesto Cienfuegos
La Voz de Aztlan

Los Angeles, Alta California - September 20, 2001 (ACN) Yesterday the Chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley issued a statement defending a racist and hate filled cartoon that was published on Tuesday in the DAILY CALIFORNIAN, the campus student newspaper. Chancellor Robert Berdahl defended the cartoon shown below by former student and syndicated cartoonist Darrin Bell as appropriate under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Chancellor Berdahl stated: "This is a time of heightened sensitivity and emotion. Throughout the past week, I and others on campus have spoken out strongly and at length about the need for tolerance and restraint among individuals of differing opinions and backgrounds. We can anticipate strong debate and disagreement in this country in the days to come. Free speech and protection of the First Amendment are among the principles that form the bedrock of our community and our nation. We can expect that people with divergent opinions may speak and publish viewpoints that others will find offensive. But throughout this debate we must respect the rights of all to freely speak and publish their points of view."

Many UC Berkeley Arab and Muslim students disagreed with the chancellor. They feel that the cartoon puts them in even greater danger because of the wave of hate crimes against them throughout the nation as a result of the New York and Pentagon attacks. They have requested an apology from the DAILY CALIFORNIAN to no avail.

Rachel Odes, a 19-year-old sociology major, said the cartoon "exemplified all the racist stereotypes of Muslims and Arab Americans". She added, "The most important thing is it contributes to an atmosphere that allows hate crimes and violence to happen. I oppose scapegoating--I stand in solidarity with Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern people."

Will Youmans, a 23-year-old law student derided the cartoon over a small sound system. "We've been dehumanized," he said. "Now we've got to stand forward and say we will not tolerate hatred."

"The incident evokes history", said university librarian Tom Leonard, a graduate journalism professor who has taught courses on the use of propaganda. He said, " German, Japanese, Italian Americans were caricatured as ``subhuman'' during World War II".

``Disgusting,'' said Abraham Wishnoff, a junior double major in religious studies and Arabic. Referring to the tide of violence against people resembling Arabs, Wishnoff said, ``It's playing upon the negative emotions that are being displayed right now. It's keeping the fire of suspicion and anger and hatred alive.''

"It can lead to more hate crimes," said Zahzah, a member of Students for Justice for Palestine. "The context it's in, the timing, makes it even stronger. To print such matter, such a message, is insulting."

In an interview, Bell, 26, said that although he understood why some might be upset, his critics misread his cartoon. The two turbaned figures are "caricatures of (Osama) bin Laden," he said. Bell said he wanted to target the "fanatical lunatics who murdered more than 5,000 people".