Call on NAIS to Correct the Record and Stand Against Hate

Please read, sign, and share the letter below. You can also send a letter directly to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

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NAIS must immediately correct the record and issue an apology to Dr. Suzanne Barakat and Prof. Ruha Benjamin. 

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, call on the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to correct the record and issue a public apology to Dr. Suzanne Barakat and Prof. Ruha Benjamin, who have been unfairly smeared for their remarks at NAIS’s People of Color Conference (PoCC). NAIS President Debra Wilson jeopardized the safety of the speakers and undermined the conference’s commitment to equity and justice by irresponsibly framing their remarks as “divisive” and mischaracterizing their credibly-cited critiques as antisemitic. These failures have emboldened those who weaponize intimidation and hate to silence differing views, and reduced the public reporting on the PoCC to a reflection of the very injustices it was created to confront.

Dr. Barakat is a physician, humanitarian, and advocate for social and human rights. She has dedicated her career to combating all forms of hate, including Islamophobia and antisemitism, while promoting equity. Her efforts have earned her national recognition from U.S. presidents, including President Biden’s Uniter Award for her tireless work against hate in all of its forms. Prof. Benjamin, a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, is widely recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to the intersection of race, justice, and technology, earning her a 2024 MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship. Her work has been lauded by respected organizations, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Following Dr. Barakat’s presentation, NAIS President Debra Wilson, along with an audience of over 7,000 educators of color, courageously stood up in applause to affirm that every child, regardless of race, religion, gender, or nationality, deserves fundamental freedoms and human rights. In wide-ranging remarks covering many different aspects of understanding and combating hatred and discrimination, Dr. Barakat and Prof. Benjamin referenced the genocide in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Their reference to genocide — a term also used by UN experts, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international legal experts to describe the situation in Gaza — has been used to falsely accuse them of antisemitism, one of the forms of hatred that they denounced in their remarks and have worked to combat. Criticism of actions taken by the Israeli government has often been conflated with antisemitism, usually in an effort to silence such criticism. The relationship between attitudes toward Israel and antisemitism is heavily contested, with Jews who identify as Zionists and anti-Zionists opposing the conflation of a religion with the policies of a nation-state. 

President Wilson’s statements mischaracterized Dr. Barakat and Prof. Benjamin’s remarks. Even if President Wilson did not agree with the arguments presented, she should have defended her speakers’ right to freedom of speech, a cornerstone of democracy and one of the most cherished values in the United States. President Wilson’s words emboldened anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism, a form of bigotry that has become alarmingly prevalent — and disturbingly normalized — within our schools. To marginalize truths and deem those who communicate them as unwelcome has a silencing effect on our students and educators. 

Since President Wilson’s statement, Dr. Barakat and Prof. Benjamin have been subjected to a ruthless smear campaign. Dr. Barakat has received numerous death threats that have left her fearing for her life, and at risk of the same tragic fate that her family experienced nearly 10 years ago, when her brother, his wife, and her sister were tragically murdered in an Islamophobic hate crime. As educators, it is our duty to answer Dr. Barakat and Prof. Benjamin’s call to action by fostering inclusive and protective spaces for all students, including Arab and Muslim students. 

Given NAIS’s dedication to education and the pursuit of understanding, we implore NAIS to denounce the conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Netanyahu’s disastrous policies—policies that have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians and have failed to secure the release of hostages — thereby fueling further hate. As a diverse coalition of educators, Jewish organizations, and human rights advocates, we stand firmly against all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism. 

We urge NAIS to uphold its own values by addressing this injustice, championing human rights, equality, freedom for all, and safeguarding the fundamental rights of future speakers.

Signed,

Organizations

Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine
American Muslim Voice Foundation
Drop the ADL from Schools
American Muslims for Palestine
California NAME
Center for Security, Race and Rights
Chicago Educators for Palestine
Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University (and Barnard College and Teachers College)
Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine BICO, Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges
Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine, Rice University
Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at Washington State University
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
Historians for Peace and Democracy
IfNotNow
Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism
International Islamophobia Studies and Research Association
Islamic Center of San Diego, California
Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
Islamophobia Studies Center
Islamophobia Studies Journal
Jewish Palestinian Alliance of Oregon
Jewish Voice for Peace
Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council
Jews for Racial & Economic Justice
Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium
MPower Change Action Fund
Muslim American Society
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Northern California Islamic Council
Northwest Teaching for Social Justice Conference
Palestine Center for Public Policy
Phillips Collaborative
Pixels for Humans
Radical Women
Repair
Rethinking Schools
Shia Muslim Foundation
South Bay Islamic Association
Students for Justice in Palestine at UCSF
Teaching for Change
Teaching While Muslim
Toronto Jewish Families
Toronto Palestinian Families
UCSF FSJP Board
UMass Amherst Faculty for Justice in Palestine
UPTE Members for Palestine
Veterans for Peace PDX Chapter 72

 

Individuals

Gloria Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin-Madison*

Freedom of speech is a fundamental tenet of democracy. We cannot be bullied or intimidated by those who have decided they are the only ones with rights of free speech.

Bettina Love, Teachers College*

We must safeguard the fundamental right to freedom of speech, ensuring that every voice can be heard without fear of repression or censorship. In doing so, we carry the responsibility to speak truth to power, challenging injustice and holding those in positions of authority accountable.

Timnit Gebru, The DAIR Institute*

This intimidation of those who stand against apartheid and genocide has gone long enough and is unacceptable.

Maxine Fookson, Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council*

I stand in support of all who speak out for human rights for all. It is our duty.

Alice Rothchild, Harvard University*

The conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israeli policy is wrong on many fronts and only used to silence critics.

Dorothy M. Zellner, SNCC Legacy Project board member*

As Jewish social justice activist, I think it is important to state that criticisms of the state of Israel do not — I repeat do not — constitute antisemitism.

Judy Richardson, SNCC Legacy Project board member*

As an organizer in the 1960s Southern Civil Rights Movement, I witnessed the huge damage done to our democracy when those who expose documented human rights abuses are vilified and silenced. We must support all who continue to give voice to the struggle for human rights worldwide.

Bill Bigelow, Rethinking Schools/Zinn Education Project

It is important for people of conscience — especially educators — to speak up for the rights of Palestinians, and to defend those who do.

Jamila Z. Felton, librarian, PK-8 NAIS member school, Washington, D.C.

I support social justice and human rights. I am anti-war and support peace. I support educators, writers, and artists who seek liberation and speak truth. I support a free Palestine. I support shining a light on genocide and apartheid so that the world can see and so that we can end those systems and crimes.

Eve L. Ewing, University of Chicago*
Kellie Carter Jackson, Africana Studies, Wellesley College*
Jeanne Theoharis, Brooklyn College of CUNY*
Chenjerai Kumanyika, New York University*
Alondra Nelson, scholar of science, technology, medicine, and social inequality
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, associate professor
Crystal Fleming, Smith College*
Alaina Roberts, University of Pittsburgh*
Kidada Williams, Wayne State University*
Mona Khalidi, Columbia University*
Rashid Khalidi, Columbia University*
Viet Thanh Nguyen, USC*
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Princeton University*
Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
Sandra Portocarrero, London School of Economics*
Jorie Graham, Harvard University*
Andrew Gundlach, Columbia Business School*
Judith Butler, UC Berkeley*
Sheldon Pollock, Columbia University*
Joan W. Scott, Institute for Advanced Study*
Noah Tamarkin, Cornell University*
Trude Bennett, Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council*
Kamala Visweswaran, Rice University*
Nathalie Arnold Koenings, Hampshire College*
Susan Reverby, Wellesley College*
Rachel Rubin, Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council*
Chelsey Carter, Yale University*
Amy Alpert, Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council*
Jonathan Kahn, Northeastern University*
Karen-Sue Taussig, University of Minnesota*
Dr. Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, The Diaspora Psychologist*
Bobby Caballero, Stokes School*
Jeff Melnick, UMass Boston*
Elora Shehabuddin, UC Berkeley*
Agustin Fuentes, Princeton University*
Saree Makdisi, UCLA*
Naushon Kabat-Zinn 
Safiya U. Noble, UCLA*
Myla Kabat-Zinn, Howard Zinn Trust*
Tendayi Achiume, Stanford Law School*
Julie Taylor-Vaz, Cranbrook Schools*
Lauren Brownlee, Quaker Coalition for Uprooting Racism, via FCNL*
Joshua B. Guild, Princeton University*
Ussama Makdisi, UC Berkeley*
Josefina Ayllon-Ayllon, teacher, private school
Tabatha L. Jones Jolivet, associate professor
Noga Shalev Columbia, University Medical Center*
Isabella B Arzeno-Soltero, UCLA*
Pierre Carmona, SFUHS*
Jeff Share, UCLA*
Sonny Singh, musician and educator (PoCC featured speaker 2023)
Randa Abdel-Fattah, Macquarie University*
Tyneeta Canonge, retired NAIS educator
Chris Tilly, UCLA*
Nnaemeka Ekwelum, Northwestern University*
Beyhan Farhadi, University of Toronto*
Czarina Hutchins 
Jason Muñiz, UC Berkeley History Social Science Project*
Emily Merchant, UC Davis*
Peter Sacks
Randi Deguilhem, CNRS*
James Chandler, University of Chicago*
Robert Newton, Columbia University*
Morgan O’Neill, University of Toronto*
Mahdi Sabbagh, Palestine Festival of Literature*
James Schamus, Columbia University*
Marianne Hirsch, Columbia University*
Tamisha Williams, Tamisha Williams Consulting
Kevin A. Young, UMass Amherst* and Historians for Peace and Democracy
Dorothy Roberts, University of Pennsylvania*
Julie Diamond, teacher, public school, retired (New York City)
Elena Jaime, The Children’s School*
Peter Bowers, educational researcher and consultant
Dominic Walker, Barnard College, Columbia University*
greg wickenkamp, University of Iowa*
Robyn Spencer-Antoine, Wayne State University*
David Stovall, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Black Studies*
Zoë Wool, University of Toronto*
Joel Beinin, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History and Professor of Middle East History, Emeritus, Stanford University*

Millie Thayer, University of Massachusetts, Amherst*

As an educator I am shocked at the blatant disregard of NAIS leadership for the right of “speakers” to speak, as well as for their physical safety. What kind of example does this set for our students for their own participation in democracy? Are only the views of the powerful — and not their vulnerable victims — acceptable objects of public discussion?

Anne Fausto-Sterling, Brown University, Emerita*

Criticism of the STATE of Israel is not automatically anti-semitic.

Joseph L. Graves Jr., North Carolina A&T State University*

Taking a stand against the oppression of the Palestinian people does not make one an anti-Semite, indeed all people of conscience should be condemning the actions of the Israeli government and military in Gaza against innocent civilians. I stand in solidarity with Dr. Ruha Benjamin who has been stalwart crusader against racism and all forms of oppression.

Worokya Duncan, Duncan Educational Consultants

The state of Israel is not the same as Jewish people. The purposeful conflation with the aim of silencing people is evil and is violence. I will never remain silent as a country murders people because of their ethnicity or religion.

Maleeha Malik, Friends School of Baltimore*

I was deeply upset by the apology NAIS issued following the talk given by Dr. Barakat. Her speech was incredible and really opened my eyes. Her talk was the ONLY talk at that moment on Palestine. I am so glad she spoke up. I am in awe of Dr. Barakat’s courage and so upset about the hate she is receiving and the baseless accusations of antisemitism. I stand with her.

adrienne maree brown, amb project

I believe in these educators.

Sana Khatib, high school teacher, private school

I stand with the 15,000+ children killed in Gaza in the past year and with anyone brave enough to talk about Palestine despite the intense attacks and threats. We cannot allow false accusations of antisemitism to silence and distract us. Palestinians are defenseless and continue to suffer unimaginably. Ceasefire now.

Kelly Takunda Orphan, music teacher, private school

We say representation matters, but I never realized how Zionism has carefully taught people in the United States to ignore Palestinians until I decorated the music room with international flags. After a celebration of our Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) families, there was a display of flags in the room from Egypt, Armenia, Iran, Palestine, and India. Some parents later entered the music room and expressed discomfort at the sight of the Palestinian flag. Fortunately, our head of school affirmed the flags would stay to honor our Palestinian families. However, I’ve learned of other teachers asked to remove signs like “End the Occupation” from other school spaces. Silence speaks loudly when it comes to Palestine and this whole fiasco with regards to the POCC conference has put our brave speakers in harm’s way. Clean it up, NAIS!!

Joel Westheimer, University of Ottawa*

Both democracy and academic freedom rely on a strong ethos of freedom speech and freedom of opinion.

Elena Jaime, The Children’s School*

I was at the conference and was horrified by the actions of NAIS and it’s complete misalignment with the stated values of the organization.

Jinni Durham, teacher, private school

Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Barakat spoke honestly and truthfully against hate. I am disgusted by the behavior of NAIS and they have much to do to regain any trust or confidence. An apology is a beginning but not enough. They need to stand on the right side of history.

Marla Erlien, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice*

Especially educators must stand strong against attacks on those who raise the issues of human rights abuses and war crimes. You must oppose their accusers and embrace every human rights organization in the world including within Israel, B’tselem, who have identified and researched the crimes being commited by Israel. You should be as brave as these women and apologize for your damaging error.

Kiran Younus, UCLS*

There was nothing antisemitic about the conference or these two speeches specifically. Palestinian stories are not antisemitic.

Samantha Fletcher, administrator, DC-area independent school, featured presenter at POCC 2024

NAIS’s silence on this for this long — particularly after the rapidity with which it responded to the Jewish organizations’ letter — speaks volumes as to who does and does not matter to them. Having worked in NAIS schools over a decade, I’m not surprised by its stance. But I am shocked at the bold and brazen audacity to publicly show its disregard and lack of care for so many people, especially those of color.

The silence is also hypocritical and ironic. NAIS here is now CHOOSING to be silent . . . after sending a message that shows complicity in silencing others. The irony increases when considering that all this is in relation to a conference that is by design specifically for listening to and showing care for people of color, those whose voices are often drowned out already.

On NAIS’s website, the mission states: “As the largest association of independent schools, NAIS co-creates the future of education by UNITING and EMPOWERING our community . . .” Included among its values are these statements: “Embracing diversity: We welcome and encourage diverse identities and perspectives. Championing inclusivity: We affirm the rights of every individual to belong and flourish.”

Rather than release a statement or stance that align with this mission and values, NAIS you cowered and catered. Shame on you. When will you live up to your mission and values? How will you? There was nothing antisemitic about either speaker’s speech; in fact I recall Dr. Barakat naming that antisemitism was wrong. NAIS president’s response neglected to mention this about Dr. Barakat, nor to mention anything about the dozens of students of color who, after the fallout, shared about the immense harm they often face.

Let me be clear: If tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed — including tens of thousands of children whose ages mean they could easily be students in our schools — and you won’t stand in support of voices speaking out against that, you NAIS have presented yourself as cruel, cold and heartless. This is the opposite of the alleged message you want NAIS students to receive, be taught and feel.

As an administrator in an NAIS school, I intend to continue being a leader leading with morals and values that align with the alleged ones of NAIS. NAIS’s leadership on the other hand is woefully lacking, problematic, unfair and shameful. Again I ask: When will you live up to your mission and values? We’re waiting . . . and watching.

Sangeeta Kamat, University of Massachusetts Amherst*

The denunciation of Benjamin and Barakat by the President of NAIS reflects poorly on the independence and integrity of NAIS. Benjamin and Barakat’s comments are backed by incontrovertible evidence and their right to speech must be defended.

Nir Hagigi, Independent Jewish Voices Carleton*

As a Jew born in Haifa and raised in Nazareth in Occupied Palestine, seeing such irresponsible actions from the NAIS leadership — the conflation of antisemitism with antizionism — is a stab in the back to all Jews. Mischaracterizing principled critiques of government actions as “divisive” or “hateful” not only silences very important conversations but endangers lives, as we’ve seen with the threats faced by Dr. Barakat.

These baseless smears undermine genuine and real efforts to combat antisemitism, while also perpetuating anti-Palestinian racism and eroding the values of equity and justice that the People of Colour Conference was meant to uphold. This was an egotistical performance on behalf of the President, meant to satisfy and silence a maximum of ten people who take issue with the United Nation’s, Amnesty’s, HRW’s and countless other organization’s clear citation of genocide.

Nafisat Olapade

Prof. Ruha Benjamin, and Dr Suzanne are insightful leaders who have high levels of empathy for all social causes. This attempt to silence them is very disheartening and they deserve an immediate apology!

Sandy Polishuk, Jewish-Palestinian Alliance of Oregon*

Criticism of a country’s policies is always legitimate. Using the charge of antisemitism is a smoke screen for Israeli exceptionalism and anti-Palestinian policies that must be fought at all times.

Marlena A. Elmore
Lauren Lamb, Sidwell Friends*
Rachel Sherman, The New School*
Marianna Ritchey, University of Massachusetts Amherst*
Siobhan Mei, University of Massachusetts Amherst*
Britt Rusert, University of Massachusetts Amherst*
Thea Abu El-Haj, Barnard College, Columbia University*
Carol Landsman
John Blank, Jewish Palestinian Alliance of Oregon
Daniel Shea, President of Veterans for Peace PDX Chapter 72
John Linder, Jewish-Palestinian Alliance of Oregon*
Abdul Jabbar
Anna Bigelow, Stanford University*

Michael Gibbons, American University*

The criticism and attacks on these invited speakers are inconsistent with the open discourse and freedom of speech and critical thinking independent schools should stand for.

Cindy Gunja, teacher, NAIS member

Over my multi-decade career in independent schools, I have committed to adding my voice to the cause of equity, awareness, and belonging through my teaching in the name of the hundreds of students who have been under my care. PoCC has always been a heartstone of that commitment, reconnecting me to others, broadening my horizons, and inspiring me to soldier on. Dr. Barakat furthered our mission, in a most important and courageous way, by sharing her personal tragedies in such a public venue, and asking that we not turn our backs on the injustices towards our Palestinian and Muslim neighbors. There was nothing antisemitic in her talk. NAIS does Dr. Barakat and ourselves a grave disservice by not standing up for and with her, as we would for anyone else under attack for appealing to our shared humanity and advocating for and fighting for peace.

Ameena Jandali, City College of San Francisco*

Education is about opening our minds to all perspectives. The genocide in Gaza funded by our tax dollars is a stain on our nation. The very least should be our ability to criticize unjust policies which as educators is our mandate. We should be uplifting minority voices rather than stifling them. These speakers deserve our support and appreciation not our censorship.

Cecile Edwards

No hate, in fact the opposite was expressed by these individuals. Allow thier messages to be seen and heard for the unifying messages they are.

Minna Doskow

I have always been and continue to be an advocate for freedom of speech in accordance with constitutional principles.

Gerson Robboy, Jewish Voice for Peace

I am a Jew who is concerned that anti-Zionism is identified as anti-Semitism.

Laurie King , Climate Jobs*

As a Jewish-American I am horrified by the genocide against Palestinians perpetrated by Israel in partnership with the U.S. Obscuring the truth by hiding behind false claims of anti-Semitism aids this genocide.

Frances Hisgen, Stanford University*

I am an alum of a NAIS organization, and a proud attendee of many People of Color Conferences in the mid 2010s, the years when I was a student at a New York City independent high school. The PoCC was always a space for telling uncomfortable truths: truths that ran contrary to oppressive structures of power. It was also a place of refuge for those students and faculty seeking to build educational systems rooted in the values of social justice, especially if their mainstream school environments, and indeed, the broader world as a whole, was not interested in these pursuits. Drs. Barakat and Benjamin made remarks that were aligned with the conference’s mission, purpose, and history. I am proud to write in support of Drs. Barakat and Benjamin as educators, and to support their efforts to use that position to call out the injustice of the genocide in Palestine. As the Zinn Education Project notes, genocide is a “a term also used by UN experts, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international legal experts to describe the situation in Gaza.” To condemn the use of the term genocide to describe the situation in Gaza as antisemitic is to ignore the facts on the ground, and to dangerously conflate legitimate criticism of the execution of a war with a dangerous prejudice. At last count, over 45,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza, and Gaza’s educational infrastructure has been systematically destroyed. It is entirely appropriate, given NAIS’s status as an educational organization, for speakers at PoCC to speak about these injustices and call for a better world. I urge NAIS to stand in support of Drs. Barakat and Benjamin.

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*  for identification purposes only

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