Decent people applaud Marcia Langton’s courage

Professor Marcia Langton has surprised me, and gained back my respect (“No excuse for allowing Jewish hate to fester”, 27/01). She has pointed out the irony of Queensland University of Technology holding a symposium on racism that descended into the very racism academics were there to discuss. It seems objectivity and critical thinking are out of favour on campus. Instead, skewed morality and ideological perspective are the order of the day.

Mainstream Australians are searching for unity amid this social unrest, and are starting to fight back against the divisive ideas that are being shoved down our throats. Many would agree that this Labor government has been the most divisive we have ever had. Labor has attempted to divide us by race, gender, sexual preference, generational age and religion. In other words, to unmake our ­country.

Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah, NSW

Marcia Langton’s criticism of academics who have opened the door on Jew hate will be welcomed by all decent people. However, it comes as no surprise that anti-Semitism flourishes in academia. In recent years, Australia’s higher education sector has been infiltrated by the left. Their ideology arises from a simplistic, childish world view that classifies people as either victims or oppressors. Since Jews have been successful in many areas, they must, by definition, be oppressors.

Success of individuals, whether they are Jews or not, is anathema to the left because it represents everything they are not.

Brian Wimborne, Isaacs, ACT

Marcia Langton rightly holds academics accountable for enabling anti-Israel hate speech to thrive on campuses. As seen at the University of Sydney and, more recently, QUT and the University of Melbourne, academia appears to be becoming a platform for anti-Semitism, creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students.

Before anti-Semitic behaviour escalates further on campuses, Australian universities should look to Harvard University in the US for guidance. Harvard faced significant legal and social pressure following accusations of anti-Semitism, including a lawsuit for failing to adequately protect Jewish students and allowing a discriminatory atmosphere to persist. In response, Harvard reached a settlement that included adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, committing to regular reporting on harassment cases and providing expert training for staff handling discrimination complaints.

Additionally, Harvard announced an official partnership with an Israeli university, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for Jewish students.

By adopting similar measures, our universities could significantly improve their campus environments for Jewish students while contributing to broader efforts to combat anti-Semitism.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

Thank you, Marcia Langton, for your strong and resolute support of Jewish people, who are being targeted and abused in Australia.

I never thought I would see anti-Semitism in my lifetime – but here it is, and it has been allowed to fester by the lack of moral courage shown by our government and by the leaders of our universities.

Elizabeth Arnold, Sherwood, Qld

Marcia Langton’s reminder to university leaders to ensure that all abide by accepted rules of public debate and academic freedom is timely in that it comes at the beginning of the academic year. Nevertheless, her article is a call to all of us and to our leaders. All Australians are entitled to community safety and respect with no group as an exception.

Bob Reid, Fig Tree Pocket, Qld

Thank you, Marcia Langton, for calling out all those posturing “pro-Palestinian” – but really pro-Hamas – academics, students and fake students who have spread their anti-Semitic bile across our academies. Too few academics have been prepared to take on the anti-Semites. Your courage is to be admired.

Michael Neustein, Bondi Junction, NSW

As long as Australia has Marcia Langtons to speak up fearlessly we will be OK.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

Surely, Professor Marcia Langton must be the Australian of the Year for 2026.

Dennis Bluth, Cammeray, NSW