CHRIS KENNEDY IS AN ASSHOLE

From Corey Robin:

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Chris Kennedy
Date: Sun, Sep 7, 2014 at 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: Steven Salaita
To: Jean O’Brien

You were not brief enough

Christopher G. Kennedy
E – chris@nbandw.com / chris@northbankandwells.com
O – (312) 527-7503
C – [REDACTED]

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On Sep 7, 2014, at 2:37 PM, “Jean O’Brien” wrote:

Dear Trustee Kennedy:

I will be brief: please reverse your cowardly decision to “un-hire” Steven Salaita in the name of justice, humanity, civility, and in defense of academic freedom. Your actions have already damaged your great University so deeply that it is difficult to imagine reversing that damage, but this would be one small step. The world is watching. If you take seriously your capacity as a trustee, then please act in compliance with the expectation such a position demands of you.

On a personal note, several years ago, I was offered the position of Director of Native American Studies at Illinois that Robert Warrior now performs so ably. The actions of the University demonstrate in no uncertain terms that I never made a better decision than to turn that offer down. I only hope that the stellar program he has painstakingly built will not be completely undone.

Jean O’Brien
Professor, Department of History
Chair, Department of American Indian Studies
University of Minnesota

Co-Founder, Native American and Indigenous Studies Association

Co-Editor (with Robert Warrior) of Native American and Indigenous Studies