Caught in the Campus Crossfire
Author: Mitch Wagner
Genre : Historical Fiction
Written by a retired civil trial lawyer, CAUGHT IN THE CAMPUS CROSSFIRE explores the limits of the First Amendment right of free speech and the paramount right to be protected from discrimination and intimidation on college campuses. This is done through the fictional story of a shooting during pro-Palestinian campus protests. Latino student, Javier, takes a bullet fired by a radicalized Palestinian student, to save his Jewish best friend, Avi. Avi’s mother, a lawyer and of Arab and Israeli descent, files a lawsuit on behalf of Javier’s family to bring those responsible, including the university, to justice. The novel also includes a discussion of the recent headline-making Congressional hearings on campus antisemitism while sensitively interweaving the complicated history of the Middle East Conflict and going into the evolution of American attitudes toward Jews and Israel, in particular, the history of Jewish and African American relations.
For anyone interested in the Middle East Conflict and wanting to learn about the limits of First Amendment protest rights, CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE is an engaging and insightful read.
Resources
Free Speech Law
Under U.S. law and university policy, free speech is protected but does not extend to discriminatory or abusive behavior, including antisemitism, which violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by fostering hostile environments and true threats that intimidate or endanger individuals based on race, ethnicity, or religion.
Black and Jewish Alliance
The historic Black and Jewish alliance highlights unity in fighting injustice, a theme echoed in Rep. Burgess Owens’ questioning of Columbia’s president about addressing antisemitism while combating anti-Black racism
Palestinian Rejection
Bill Clinton recounts the Palestinian rejection of a two-state solution, including a proposed Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Great Quotes
The collection of quotes emphasizes the power of critical thinking, the danger of silence in the face of injustice, the importance of truth over ideology, and the wisdom of temperance, humility, and reason in human interaction.
About the Author
Mitch Wagner was a civil trial lawyer for 35 years and combines his legal expertise with skilled storytelling to educate and inspire. Mitch may be contacted by email for interviews, speaking engagements, and questions at: campuscrossfire@gmail.com
About the Author
Mitch Wagner was a civil trial lawyer for 35 years and combines his legal expertise with skilled storytelling to educate and inspire. Mitch may be contacted by email for interviews, speaking engagements, and questions at: campuscrossfire@gmail.com