Chi-Ming Yang, a professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, has used her academic position to amplify divisive political activism on campus. Known for her specialization in the literary and visual culture of race and empire, Yang has become a prominent figure in protests and causes that disrupt campus unity and safety.
Chi-Ming Yang’s Participation in Controversial Events and Protests
Yang’s role in several high-profile protests on campus exemplifies her prioritization of activism over her responsibilities as an educator, and her participation has often escalated tensions and disrupted campus stability:
April 2024 Encampment:
Yang actively participated in the 16-day illegal encampment on campus, which disrupted academic life and created a hostile environment for students. She was among the faculty members arrested during the police operation to dismantle the encampment and reportedly helped block a police van carrying detained students. Her actions directly defied university policies, obstructed law enforcement, and escalated an already volatile situation. By defending the encampment, which openly displayed support for terrorist organizations, Yang not only violated her responsibilities as a faculty member but also reinforced a culture of impunity among students.
November 30, 2023 – Sit-In by Freedom School for Palestine:
The November 30 sit-in at Penn exemplified the growing trend of faculty and student activism crossing into disruptive and divisive territory. While activism is a vital part of campus life, events like this—especially when supported by faculty, such a Yang—undermine the principles of inclusivity, intellectual freedom, and mutual respect that universities are meant to uphold. It created a hostile environment for students with differing views, disrupted normal campus operations, and added to the perception that Penn leadership was failing to manage escalating tensions effectively.
Palestine Writes Festival (September 2023):
Yang was one of 36 faculty members who signed a letter defending the controversial festival, which drew widespread criticism for featuring speakers known for antisemitic rhetoric and glorifying violence. Despite these concerns, Yang lent her academic credibility to the event, which alienated Jewish students and other members of the campus community. This endorsement signaled to students that faculty support divisive ideologies and failed to uphold the university’s responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment.
Through her active involvement in these events, Yang demonstrated a troubling willingness to prioritize her activism over the university’s rules and the broader interests of the campus community. Her presence not only lent legitimacy to these disruptive protests but also directly contributed to the erosion of campus stability and student safety.
Advocacy for Divisive Movements
Yang has consistently leveraged her position as a faculty member to amplify causes and movements that promote divisive and polarizing rhetoric:
In June 2021, Yang signed a letter urging the university to divest from companies accused of complicity in the “illegal occupation of Palestine.” The letter described Israel as having “genocidal, racist foundations,” inflammatory language that not only alienates Jewish students but also undermines the principles of respectful dialogue essential to academic communities.
Yang publicly called for the reinstatement of Penn Students Against the Occupation, a group banned for its disruptive and hostile activities on campus. Her advocacy for the reinstatement of this banned student group further highlights her disregard for the university’s attempts to enforce policies that promote campus safety and inclusivity.
Implications of Her Conduct as a Faculty Member
Chi-Ming Yang’s actions reflect a profound failure to uphold the ethical and professional responsibilities expected of faculty members. Rather than fostering constructive dialogue and an inclusive environment, Yang has used her platform to promote divisive activism, disrupt academic life, and legitimize extremist narratives. By participating in illegal protests, obstructing law enforcement, and lending her credibility to controversial movements, she has eroded trust in the university’s leadership and jeopardized its ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.
As an educator, Yang’s conduct is particularly troubling because it positions her as a role model for students. Her actions normalize behavior that defies university policies, fosters division, and undermines the academic integrity of Penn. Faculty members hold significant influence over their students, and Yang’s alignment with polarizing and inflammatory movements signals a dangerous precedent that activism, no matter how disruptive, takes precedence over the principles of respect, inclusivity, and intellectual freedom.
Yang’s conduct is not merely a matter of personal activism—it is a betrayal of her role as a faculty member tasked with upholding the university’s mission and values. Her actions demand accountability to restore the integrity of the institution and to ensure that educators prioritize the safety, education, and inclusivity of their students above all else.
