BFTJ — Tony Kushner Banned from Receiving Award from City College

If you can’t figure out what “bftj” refers to, just skip this post.

I’m in a mood.  The brilliant playwright, and proud member of the tribe, Tony Kushner  has been denied an award that was to be bestowed by John Jay College of the City University of New York. Rather than try to retell the gory details of this sad episode, I’ll simply refer you to the source article.  Go read; we’ll discuss later.

Okay.  I really don’t have much to say other than as a tax paying citizen of New York, I’m disgusted that a Board Member gets to hold everyone hostage in this manner, and I not only think it’s bftj, but also bad for intellectual and academic freedom, freedom of speech generally and even (dare I say it!) bad for Israel, because if the only permissible viewpoint is “the likud right or wrong” than Israel is pretty much doomed.

Tony Kushner, they deny an award to?  Tony Kushner, maybe the most brilliant living American playwright?  What is wrong with these people?  I don’t even blame the millionaire who started the mess.  It takes a whole board of wimps to vote someone down.  Do they all completely lack balls?

Rant over.  Feel free to comment.

One thought on “BFTJ — Tony Kushner Banned from Receiving Award from City College

  1. BFTJ is that many, if not most, of the chosen in America don’t speak out on how Jewishness, Judaism, and any criticism if Israel, no matter how mild, is forbidden. Jeez, look @ Ha’aretz and you’ll see real debate.

    (Can I say that Sandy Koufax was overrated as a pitcher and had only a few good years without being attacked by this CUNY board member?)

Comments are closed.