Also I’ve seen entire substacks dedicated to this. And the Greyzone (Max Blumenthal). These Israel haters have such delicate moral sensibilities they need to obsessively white wash Hamas sexual violence.
I've been on the fence about showing the film to my college freshmen, or just providing them with the link. I'm not sure why I'm hesitating...it would fit more or less into my curriculum. Probably hesitating because I don't want to watch it myself. What are your thoughts, as you're familiar with the audience?
That's a really tough question; I can understand why you're struggling with this.
I can't necessarily comment on how a group of 18- or 19-year olds would receive this film. On one hand, I think it's important, especially since that's a generation that came of age during the #metoo era. On the other, you're exposing yourself as a professor to a litany of potential problems (students getting triggered by the sexual violence content, comments from students brainwashed by the pro-Hamas, students complaining you didn't show a similar film about Palestinians, etc.).
I can't tell you what to do. If this were only a few years ago, I would emphatically say that all college students should see it. But I'm also a professional in the field of today who wishes to protect my own colleagues as much as possible.
If you do decide to include the film as part of your course materials, I would highly recommend showing it to them in-person and making yourself and/or a trained professional available to talk about it. Merely providing the link is too passive for such heavy subject matter.
Jill, thank you so much for your thoughts (and advice, really). As of now, I’ve decided to show the film. I spoke with a colleague in my department who is familiar with our students, and thinks it’s appropriate, and today I asked two students from each class for their thoughts. They essentially said: “absolutely show it.” One pointed out that “anyone taking a criminology class is already watching grusesome documentaries” (which may or may not be true, but it made me smile) and another student said, “All we see on social media is Palestinians. I’d be glad to see the other side of it.” Again, quite a simplification, but I understand the sentiment.
Good, I am glad to hear that your students are receptive to it and that you polled them before making this decision. It's actually heartening to hear their responses and it makes me wonder if they reflect the majority (as in, the anti-Israel types are just a very loud minority on campuses like yours).
Maybe you can write a Substack story about this after you show it to your students to report how they received it.
And one more thing: do not let the "I don't want to watch it myself" rationale discourage you from showing your students the film. Anyone who has followed the Israel-Hamas War in the last year already knows what's coming, as I'm sure you do.
There have been people who make a ‘cottage industry’ of denial of the rape and sexual violence toward Israeli women.
Yes it's called the UN.
Also I’ve seen entire substacks dedicated to this. And the Greyzone (Max Blumenthal). These Israel haters have such delicate moral sensibilities they need to obsessively white wash Hamas sexual violence.
Yes. They believe they're presenting highly original arguments - unfortunately the "useful idiot for Hamas" trope is now a tired one.
Honestly I think it’s pure hatred to Jews/israel. Contempt for Israeli women.
I've been on the fence about showing the film to my college freshmen, or just providing them with the link. I'm not sure why I'm hesitating...it would fit more or less into my curriculum. Probably hesitating because I don't want to watch it myself. What are your thoughts, as you're familiar with the audience?
That's a really tough question; I can understand why you're struggling with this.
I can't necessarily comment on how a group of 18- or 19-year olds would receive this film. On one hand, I think it's important, especially since that's a generation that came of age during the #metoo era. On the other, you're exposing yourself as a professor to a litany of potential problems (students getting triggered by the sexual violence content, comments from students brainwashed by the pro-Hamas, students complaining you didn't show a similar film about Palestinians, etc.).
I can't tell you what to do. If this were only a few years ago, I would emphatically say that all college students should see it. But I'm also a professional in the field of today who wishes to protect my own colleagues as much as possible.
If you do decide to include the film as part of your course materials, I would highly recommend showing it to them in-person and making yourself and/or a trained professional available to talk about it. Merely providing the link is too passive for such heavy subject matter.
Jill, thank you so much for your thoughts (and advice, really). As of now, I’ve decided to show the film. I spoke with a colleague in my department who is familiar with our students, and thinks it’s appropriate, and today I asked two students from each class for their thoughts. They essentially said: “absolutely show it.” One pointed out that “anyone taking a criminology class is already watching grusesome documentaries” (which may or may not be true, but it made me smile) and another student said, “All we see on social media is Palestinians. I’d be glad to see the other side of it.” Again, quite a simplification, but I understand the sentiment.
I’ll keep you apprised!
Good, I am glad to hear that your students are receptive to it and that you polled them before making this decision. It's actually heartening to hear their responses and it makes me wonder if they reflect the majority (as in, the anti-Israel types are just a very loud minority on campuses like yours).
Maybe you can write a Substack story about this after you show it to your students to report how they received it.
Have a great semester!
And one more thing: do not let the "I don't want to watch it myself" rationale discourage you from showing your students the film. Anyone who has followed the Israel-Hamas War in the last year already knows what's coming, as I'm sure you do.
And you’re right- it was a cowardly statement, and that’s not who I am for my students. Thank you again :)