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In a statement released to NewsOne, a spokesman for an assistant professor at Oberlin College – who was placed on leave for alleged anti-Semitic social media posts – said the private liberal arts school is “being used as a personal tool of religious extremism by a small number of people.”

The college announced on Wednesday that Joy Karega, assistant professor of rhetoric and composition, is on paid leave while the administration evaluates her controversial Facebook posts.

But on Friday, her representative, Chui Karega, raised questions about the probe.

Here is the statement in its entirety:

Since March, 2016 the Administration of Oberlin College has engaged in a relentless persecution of Dr. Joy Karega, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition.

Oberlin administrative officials have stated that Dr. Karega has performed exceptionally as an educator on the faculty at Oberlin. Her record of teaching has been unblemished.

Nevertheless, Oberlin’s Administration, pandering to the dictates of a handful of vocal and wealthy religious zealots, has set out to push Dr. Karega out of her faculty position at Oberlin.

This week Dr. Karega was placed on Administrative Leave with no justification. This unfortunate maneuver by Oberlin’s administration is taken in direct contrast to the findings and recommendations of the Oberlin faculty. The decision to place Dr. Karega on administrative leave constitutes an assault on the substantive rights and protections she is afforded as a member of Oberlin’s faculty. Indeed, the Administration’s assault upon Dr. Karega has now become an assault against the entire faculty and student body.

Dr. Karega stands ready to satisfy her commitment to the students and faculty of Oberlin College. She has not requested nor endorsed the administrative leave.    

It is truly regrettable that an institution such as Oberlin College, with a historical legacy of activism and social justice, particularly in terms of African Americans, is being used as a personal tool of religious extremism by a small number of people.


Oberlin College Places Professor On Paid Leave For Alleged Anti-Semitic Comments

Oberlin College announced on Wednesday that Professor Joy Karega is on paid leave while the administration evaluates her controversial Facebook posts about Israel that many view as anti-Semitic, The New York Times reports.

A statement from the private liberal arts college in Ohio said Karega “will not teach at Oberlin” while the probe is ongoing.

According to The Times, the assistant professor of rhetoric and composition wrote a Facebook post that said the CIA and the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad, funded ISIS. She also said Mossad is responsible for the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris. In other posts, she suggested that Israel is behind the shooting of a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine.

In a statement, Oberlin at first distanced itself from Karega when her conspiracy theories came to light. The school said it “respected” the professor’s right to express her personal views.

However, The Times said the college’s board of trustees later called the matter a “grave issue” and described Karega’s remarks as “anti-Semitic and abhorrent.”

Along with Wednesday’s announcement, College President Marvin Krislov sent an email to alumni saying he is “committed to continuing and completing an equitable review process,” The Times reported.

Meanwhile, Karega posted this apparent response on Facebook:

She had no other comments on the announcement and the situation.

SOURCE: New York Times, Facebook | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Twitter

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