Jean Howard, a professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, has repeatedly aligned herself with extremist groups that incite hatred, promote discrimination, and target Jewish communities. Her long history of activism reveals a pattern of endorsing radical anti-Jewish rhetoric, defending movements that excuse violence, and fostering a hostile campus environment under the guise of academic freedom.
Actions That Fuel Extremism
1. Defending Radical Groups That Target Jewish Students
Howard has openly expressed support for organizations that have been responsible for fostering hostile environments on college campuses. She signed a Columbia faculty petition backing a radical student coalition that has actively harassed Jewish students and worked to silence dissenting voices. By endorsing these groups, she has lent credibility to organizations that have disrupted academic spaces with intimidation and hate-filled rhetoric.
2. Endorsing Groups That Excuse Violence Against Civilians
Howard signed a letter opposing legislative efforts to combat extremist activism that defends violent actions as justified “resistance.” Rather than acknowledging the dangers of radicalization, she has positioned herself as a protector of groups that frame civilian-targeted violence as legitimate. This defense of extremist ideology contributes to the spread of radicalization on campuses.
3. Perpetuating Dangerous Antisemitic Tropes
Howard has repeatedly signed petitions that accuse Jewish communities of perpetrating systemic discrimination, echoing longstanding antisemitic conspiracy theories. These petitions distort history, erase context, and assign collective guilt to an entire population—tactics historically used to incite violence against Jewish communities.
4. Undermining Efforts to Combat Hatred
Instead of standing against extremism, Howard has worked to dismantle protections against hate speech and incitement. She signed a petition condemning an ad campaign that warned of the dangers of radicalization, claiming that such warnings were an attack on free speech. By doing so, she effectively shielded individuals who spread harmful, inflammatory rhetoric from accountability.
A Dangerous Presence on Campus
Jean Howard’s actions are not about academic freedom or legitimate political discourse—they are about normalizing extremism. Through her unwavering defense of radical groups and rhetoric, she has helped fuel an environment where Jewish students feel unsafe, where violence is excused, and where discriminatory ideologies are given a platform under the false pretense of activism. Rather than using her role as an educator to promote intellectual integrity, Howard has chosen to embolden dangerous movements that thrive on division and hate.
