The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a major issue in the world we live in today. It has occupied many facets of international relations and has a large presence on this University’s campus.
From advertisements on town buses to controversial academic boycotts, this issue is one that has been debated in many different forms.
Therefore, it is no surprise that both sides of this issue are looking for new ways to get their message across.
However, as demonstrated by the recent posting of mock evictions in residence halls by UNC Students for Justice in Palestine to raise awareness of Palestinian evictions, a certain sense of tact must be brought to all activities.
Though the flyer bluntly stated in bold-faced type that it was not a real eviction, the response to it has shown that many who received them did not internalize this and gave in to a good deal of emotional distress instead.
It is probably true it was the group’s intent to model the emotional distress felt by those in Palestine who receive real eviction notices. However, the group should have gotten the permission of the Department of Housing and Residential Education before doing so.
An email sent to all residents stated that the group did not have the department’s permission to post the flyers and further dispelled any feelings that they might be authentic.
Activism in any form is meant to provoke people, but this does not mean any group should protest in a way that necessitates a response from an institution to set the record straight.
This is an extremely important issue that deserves a good deal of debate. It would a shame if this healthy debate was derailed by a misinterpreted and perhaps poorly worded form of protest.
