RICKFORD | A Assertion Concerning My Actions From Oct. 15

Re “Cornell Professor ‘Exhilarated’ by Hamas’ Assault Defends Remarks” (information article, Oct. 16)

I apologize for the horrible alternative of phrases that I utilized in a portion of a speech that was meant to emphasize grassroots African American, Jewish and Palestinian traditions of resistance to oppression. I acknowledge that a number of the language I used was reprehensible and didn’t mirror my values. As I mentioned within the speech, I abhor violence and the violent concentrating on of civilians. I’m sorry for the ache that my reckless remarks have triggered my household, my college students, my colleagues and plenty of others on this time of struggling. As a scholar, a instructor, an activist and a father, I attempt to uphold the values of human dignity, peace and justice. I wish to make it clear that I unequivocally oppose and denounce racism, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, militarism, fundamentalism and all techniques that dehumanize, divide and oppress folks. 

Russell Rickford is an affiliate professor of historical past within the Faculty of Arts & Sciences. He makes a speciality of African-American political tradition after World Conflict II, the Black Radical Custom and transnational social actions. He will be reached at [email protected].