Race and Rights Podcast

The Palestine Taboo: Race, Islamophobia, and Free Speech (Episode 50)

The true test of a democracy is the extent to which civil rights in law are enforced in practice for the most vulnerable groups in society. As members of Congress demanded mass arrest and expulsion of college students exercising their free speech right to dissent against U.S. foreign policy in Gaza and the West Bank, the racial fault lines in American democracy were yet again laid bare. Similarly, university presidents are buckling to external political pressure to violate academic freedom of Muslim and Arab faculty targeted by external anti-Muslim and pro-Israeli groups and politicians. In this episode, Distinguished Law Professor Sahar Aziz examines how Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism intersect to produce systematic assaults on the civil rights of racialized communities. These concerted efforts to quash the nonviolent Palestine Solidarity Movement set dangerous rights-infringing precedents that are now being weaponized against immigrant rights advocates and supporters of diversity, equity and inclusion.  The same conservative groups and politicians who complain about the erosion of free speech in America are now spearheading the policing of viewpoints and speech expressed by progressive students and faculty on college campuses. Listen to Professor Aziz as she explains the origins and harmful consequences of the Palestine Taboo on all American’s free speech and political freedoms, which is the basis of her forthcoming book on the topic. #Israel #Palestine #Gaza #Genocide #PalestineTaboo #FreeSpeech #AcademicFreedom Suggested Readings Sahar Aziz, The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom [https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520382299/the-racial-muslim] (2022) Mitchell Plitnick and Sahar Aziz, Presumptively Antisemitic: Islamophobic Tropes in the Palestine Israel Discourse [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/issues/presumptively-antisemitic/] (2023) Sahar Aziz, Racing Religion in the Palestine Israel Discourse [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-journal-of-international-law/article/racing-religion-in-the-palestineisrael-discourse/2FB42470C8781ACDB8028F4E77109764], AJIL Unbound , Volume 118 , 2024 , pp. 118 – 123. Support the show [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Support the Center for Security, Race and Rights [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/] by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr [https://twitter.com/rucsrr] Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr [https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr [https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr [https://facebook.com/rucsrr] Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr [https://tiktok.com/rucsrr] Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/ [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/]

Beyond Neutrality: Confronting Silence on anti-Palestinian Racism and a Call to Action (Part II) (Episode 49)

In Part II of this two-part series, guest host Esaa Mohammad Sabti Samarah, PhD, LMSW [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/about/faculty-affiliates/] reunites with Dr. Siham Elkassem [https://www.uwindsor.ca/socialwork/602/dr-siham-elkassem], Dr. Bryn King [https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/profiles/bryn-king/], Dr. Nuha Dwaikat-Shaer [https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/faculty-profiles/nuha-dwaikat-shaer/index.html], and doctoral candidate Amilah Baksh [https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/faculty-profiles/amilah-baksh/index.html] to move beyond naming harm and toward a deeper examination of responsibility. This episode turns a critical lens on how the social work profession responds, or fails to respond, to anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim racisms, with particular attention to the ways calls for “neutrality” shape research, teaching, and professional practice. The conversation interrogates neutrality as it appears in social work academia, especially in relation to empiricism and claims of objectivity. The panel introduces and critically examines the concept of “weepy universalism,” a term they coin for social workers in their forthcoming work to describe how generalized expressions of sympathy can obscure power, flatten difference, and ultimately reproduce harm rather than challenge it. The episode also brings these debates down from theory to practice, exploring what they mean for social workers on the ground, particularly those working with youth and communities most directly impacted by these forms of racism. The series closes with a collective call to action, challenging the profession to move beyond symbolic gestures and toward principled, sustained solidarity with Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, as part of broader struggles for justice and liberation. This episode invites listeners to reckon with complicity, resist comfort, and reimagine what ethical practice demands in moments of profound injustice. #BeyondNeutrality #EthicalSocialWork #SolidarityNotSilence #WeepyUniversalism #YouthJustice #DecolonizeSocialWork #JusticeInAction Links to Published Works Dwaikat-Shaer, N., Baksh, A., Elkassem, S., & King, B. (2025). Phenomenologies of Silence: On the Palestine Exception and the Complicity of Social Work Academe. Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work, 3(2). [https://apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/article/view/50] Siham Elkassem - Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HY5qdU0AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao] Support the show [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Support the Center for Security, Race and Rights [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/] by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr [https://twitter.com/rucsrr] Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr [https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr [https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr [https://facebook.com/rucsrr] Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr [https://tiktok.com/rucsrr] Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/ [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/]

Linked but Distinct: Understanding Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Muslim Racism (Part I) ( Episode 48)

In this first episode of a two-part series, guest host Esaa Mohammad Sabti Samarah, PhD, LMSW [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/about/faculty-affiliates/] leads a powerful conversation examining how anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim racisms function as distinct yet interconnected systems of harm. Together with scholars and practitioners Dr. Siham Elkassem [https://www.uwindsor.ca/socialwork/602/dr-siham-elkassem], Dr. Bryn King [https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/profiles/bryn-king/], Dr. Nuha Dwaikat-Shaer [https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/faculty-profiles/nuha-dwaikat-shaer/index.html], and Doctoral Candidate Amilah Baksh [https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/faculty-profiles/amilah-baksh/index.html], the discussion examines how these forms of racism operate across structural, institutional, and interpersonal levels, and how they are sustained through histories of colonialism, racialization, and political violence. The episode critically interrogates the social work profession’s response to these realities, confronting the gap between professed values and practiced silence. The panel names this silence as more than inaction: it is complicity reinforced by selective empathy, professional caution, and institutional pressures that limit meaningful engagement with Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim suffering. Listeners are invited to reflect on how racism is produced and maintained within professional spaces, and how social work education and practice can either reproduce harm or become a site of resistance and transformation. Part I lays the foundation by naming the problem clearly and setting the stage for a deeper examination in Part II, Beyond Neutrality: Confronting Silence, Resistance, and a Call to Action. The second episode deepens the conversation by examining neutrality, dissent, and professional responsibility, with particular attention to the impact on youth and affected communities. This episode is essential listening for anyone committed to racial justice, human rights, and accountability within social work and allied professions. #AntiRacism #PalestinianRights #AntiMuslimRacism #AntiPalistinianRacism #AntiArabRacism #ArabAndMuslimVoices #SocialWorkJustice #ColonialismAndResistance Links to Published Works Elkassem, S. (2024). Beyond Hate: Confronting Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism in Social Work. Intersectionalities, 12(1), 1-29. [https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/intersec/2024-v12-n1-intersec010031/1117973ar.pdf] Support the show [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Support the Center for Security, Race and Rights [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/] by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr [https://twitter.com/rucsrr] Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr [https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr [https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr [https://facebook.com/rucsrr] Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr [https://tiktok.com/rucsrr] Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/ [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/]

European Islamophobia with Farid Hafez (Episode 47)

There has been an alarming surge of anti-Muslim sentiment across the European continent. As Islamophobia continues to gain momentum throughout Europe—home to tens of millions of Muslim citizens—Professor Hafez offers listeners a comprehensive analysis of this troubling phenomenon. His work examines the multifaceted causes of this rise in Muslim prejudice, from historical legacies and media representations to contemporary political movements.  Join us as Professor Hafez delves deeper into the divisive effects of Islamophobia on both Muslim and non-Muslim communities across Europe. He explores how this prejudice manifests in various spheres—from institutional discrimination and policy decisions to everyday interactions and personal experiences. The discussion highlights the broader implications for European society, questioning how these attitudes challenge fundamental values of pluralism, human rights, and social cohesion. Join host Sahar Aziz and Professor Hafez as they offer listeners insight into one of the most pressing social issues facing contemporary Europe, examining both its immediate impacts and long-term consequences for a continent grappling with questions of identity, belonging, and religious freedom in an increasingly diverse society. #Israel #Palestine #Gaza #Genocide #ICC #HumanRights Support the show [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Support the Center for Security, Race and Rights [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/] by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr [https://twitter.com/rucsrr] Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr [https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr [https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr [https://facebook.com/rucsrr] Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr [https://tiktok.com/rucsrr] Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/ [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/]

Punishing Atrocities and Fair Trials: From Nuremberg to Global Terrorism (Episode 46)

In this episode, we welcome Professor Jonathan Hafetz for an insightful discussion on the complex legal challenges involved in prosecuting individuals accused of mass crimes. Our conversation traces the development of international justice mechanisms from the foundational Nuremberg trials through to contemporary approaches in the age of global terrorism. Professor Hafetz examines how nations have attempted to hold perpetrators accountable while maintaining commitment to fair trial principles - a tension that continues to define international criminal law. The discussion explores the significant impact of the U.S. War on Terrorism on legal frameworks and its disproportionate effects on Arab and Muslim communities. Throughout the episode, we consider how these legal precedents influence current justice systems and what lessons can be drawn from past successes and failures. This thoughtful analysis offers listeners a clearer understanding of the delicate balance between pursuing accountability for grave crimes and preserving fundamental rights protections, even for those accused of the most serious offenses. This episode provides valuable context for anyone interested in international law, human rights, and the ongoing evolution of justice mechanisms in response to atrocities and terrorism. Support the show [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Support the Center for Security, Race and Rights [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/] by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html [https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html] Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbUfYcWGZapBNYvCObiCpp3qtxgH_jFy] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr [https://twitter.com/rucsrr] Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr [https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr [https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr] Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr [https://facebook.com/rucsrr] Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr [https://tiktok.com/rucsrr] Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/ [https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/]