Dear NYLS Community,
As you likely have seen, in the past several weeks, Kanye West a/k/a Ye, a very wealthy and prominent celebrity and business figure, has espoused deeply disturbing anti-Semitic beliefs in multiple forums. Due to his prominence, it is clear that his statements can and have given cover and validation for others around the nation to publicly express their anti-Semitic views as well, most visibly in Los Angeles this past Saturday. This comes during a time when anti-Semitic rhetoric and violent acts remain at historic highs, and considering world history, we cannot remain silent as anti-Semitic voices grow louder. As members of the NYLS community, and the legal profession, we must call to account anyone who uses their power to appeal to mass audiences to promote hate and the inevitable violence that flows from it. There are many ways to do this, including but not limited to, using our own voices, social media networks, and careful choices about who and what we follow.
We will be hosting a lunch program on these issues in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please reach out to us if you need to talk. Peace and strength always.
Dean and President Anthony W. Crowell
Dean of Faculty William P. LaPiana
Senior Associate Dean Matthew Gewolb
Associate Dean and Vice President Ella Mae Estrada
Professor Anna Cominsky ’05 , Faculty Advisor, Jewish Law Students Association
Lindsay Kantor ’24, President, Jewish Law Students Association
Professor Kirk Burkhalter, Co-Chair, Faculty Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Professor Ann Thomas, Co-Chair, Faculty Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion