Yale Surrenders to Islamic Extremists

According to a New York Times article, Yale University Press will not publish the Muhammad cartoons that caused the uproar in the Muslim world (dozens of riots and hundreds dead). Not too surprising, but here is the twist: the book they are removing the cartoons from is a book titled "Cartoons that Shook the World."

Talk about irony. Yale supports publishing a book on important cultural and political cartoons, yet will not actually publish the pictures of the cartoons that offend some Islamic Extremists. Mind you, they are publishing every other cartoon and picture. Just not the ones offensive to some Muslims.

"He noted that he had been involved in publishing other controversial books — like “The King Never Smiles” by Paul M. Handley, a recent unauthorized biography of Thailand’s current monarch — and “I’ve never blinked.” But, he said, “when it came between that and blood on my hands, there was no question.”"

Reza Aslan, an academic supporter of the book who has since withdrawn his support over the actions of Yale University Press said this, "This is an academic book for an academic audience by an academic press,” he continued. “There is no chance of this book having a global audience, let alone causing a global outcry.” He added, “It’s not just academic cowardice, it is just silly and unnecessary."

I understand Yale's desire not to offend anyone. That has become one of the principle characteristics of higher education bureaucracy. It is nothing special and just has to be accounted for. The larger problem I see is that academic responses like these, though small and not with global reach, add up to a consistent perception to the Islamic Extremists. When conference organizers refuse to allow Geert Wilders, an outspoken Dutch politician and critic of Islamic Extremism, to come to our country to voice his opinions, the bad guys take notice. When the UK legal system cedes control of family law (marriage, custody, inheritance) to Sharia law administered by local imams, the extremists take notice.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the decision Yale decided to make regarding the publication of Muhammad cartoons. Yet, the combination of many independent and disparate actions all with the same mindset ("I won't offend your religion, so please don't hurt me or my loved ones") will lead to a tipping point. What that point is, I don't know. I just know that in a country that loves to pat itself on the back for freedom of the press and freedom of speech, we are doing a poor job of actually practicing the liberties enshrined in the Constitution.