The U.S. government is currently targeting eminent queer theorist and philosopher Judith Butler. This should set off red flags, as it is reminiscent of the pernicious tactics of the McCarthy era. A University of California, Berkeley professor recently shared her concerns. Her name was submitted to the Trump administration as part of a complaint that triggered an investigation into antisemitic incidents. Butler’s treatment has justifiably shocked academics and advocates of free speech. This reaction, 50 years later, ignited important national conversations about what all this means for academic freedom and dissenting voices in 2020’s America.
As we’ve noted, Butler was one of the United States’ most electrifying public intellectuals. Her controversial views on Israel-Palestine politics have only cemented her role as a lightning rod. Her academic work in gender and queer theory is widely respected. It often does the rounds in classes in multiple majors, from education to philosophy to Jewish studies. Just as the announcement of her nomination excited many academics, it brought about an intense polarization of the academic community.
In her recent statements, Butler compared the federal government’s actions to historical episodes of persecution, particularly noting that universities forwarding names to the federal government reflects a “well-known practice from the McCarthy Era.” She spoke from experience about the likely impact of these measures. She questioned why the people impacted would face limits on travel or have their texts and calls surveilled.
“Well-known practice from the McCarthy Era … We should not be naive. Will those of us named now be branded on a government list? Will our travel be restricted? Will our email communications be surveilled?” – Judith Butler
The investigation into alleged antisemitic incidents at Berkeley has raised a firestorm of controversy. Critics believe it is this initiative that poses the greatest risk of damaging academic freedom, deepening and broadening divisions within the academy. Butler’s politics on Israel-Palestine have drawn the ire of reactionaries on all sides. Her academic disputes with numerous scholars on Zionism and Middle Eastern ideology are exhaustively laid out.
Butler’s intellectual lineage also draws her into a deep well of Jewish dissent. This tradition is exemplified by pioneers like Baruch Spinoza, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, Rosa Luxemburg and Isaac Deutscher. Their combined legacy reminds us that dissent is an essential feature of the Jewish intellectual landscape. Butler’s work fiercely advocates for this tenet.
Despite the controversies surrounding her political views, many scholars recognize the value of Butler’s contributions to gender theory and queer studies. Her writings are constantly interrogating the status quo definitions of identity and power structure, which is why her work is so important for students and academics to read together.
The recent, atypical, targeting by the government makes clear that serious and dangerous questions about academic integrity and freedom of thought are at stake. Butler’s plight draws on comparisons throughout history of punishment for ideological belief. Given this position, it is perhaps unsurprising that many in academia have rallied around Butler and those like her who are fighting their own battles.
Joel Swanson, an academic and scholar well-acquainted with Butler’s work, provided his own reflections. He stressed the importance of intellectual pluralism among the Jewish people.
“We may not always agree with all of these thinkers, but part of having a rich Jewish intellectual community means making space for them. We are all worse off when we cast out the dissenters.” – Joel Swanson
Conversations around Butler’s predicament have been rippling across the country. Her case serves to exemplify the chilling atmosphere that academic freedom currently faces here in the United States. The implications go far beyond Butler herself. They underscore bedrock principles of our freedom of expression and the essential place for dissent in a vibrant democratic society.
Given the backlash against Butler’s inclusion on a government blacklist, that’s not surprising. It reflects those from the era of McCarthyism, another dark and chaotic chapter where one’s political ideology was targeted. Many scholars argue that such comparisons highlight the fragility of academic freedom and the need for vigilance against government overreach.
Butler’s role in Berkeley, albeit a very different battlefield, puts her right at the eye of this stormy and ongoing debate. Her scholarly work touches on all these important spheres of current scholarship. This, in turn, makes her a key voice in much larger discussions about gender, identity, and the negotiations of power relations. The tone surrounding her has turned pretty nasty. Already, different types of activist groups are gearing up to defend or attack her positions.