Insights

A growing controversy surrounding the firing of Shirin Saeidi from the University of Arkansas has drawn national attention, especially after prominent legal scholar Sahar Aziz signed a petition demanding her reinstatement.  The petition, which now includes hundreds of academics and activists, has intensified scrutiny not only on Saeidi’s dismissal but also on the network of public figures rallying behind her.  […]

During Black History Month, the mission should be singular: recognizing the history, struggles, and achievements of Black Americans. Yet, each year, activist scholars and academic centers attempt to pivot that focus toward contemporary political agendas. A recent example comes from the Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR), which has promoted lectures linking the Black […]

In the halls of Rutgers University, a fierce debate is unfolding over the boundaries of academic freedom. At the center of this storm is Sahar Aziz, a Distinguished Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR). While Aziz and her supporters defend her work as “critical scholarship,” a […]

The “Hindutva” Controversy: Hindu Advocacy Groups vs. CSRR’s “Systemic Hate” While much of the national focus on the Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR) has centered on its rhetoric regarding Israel, a second front of intense opposition has emerged from the Hindu American community. Organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and Coalition of […]

In February 2024, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Ranking Member Senator Lindsey Graham and nine other Republican members, launched a formal inquiry into the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR). The committee’s letter to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway didn’t just request information; it leveled a series of staggering allegations, characterizing the […]