To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Nancy Cantor" <chancellor@uiuc.edu>

Reply-To: chancellor@uiuc.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - A Special Message from the Chancellor

I saw on Monday a piece of hate mail that was sent by a partisan of one of 
the sides in the Middle East conflict to a group of students supporting 
the other side.  It was appalling in its venom.   The issues in that part 
of the world touch all of us very deeply.  On this campus, there are many 
with personal ties, ties of family or friendship, ethnicity or religion, 
to those engulfed by that tragic conflict.  There is, therefore, always 
the threat that the bitter divisions of the Middle East can be replicated 
here, that the hatred and even the violence can take root here.

We all need to recall the terrible sense of violation we felt on September 
11 and the comfort we experienced when we came together as a community to 
support and affirm each other.  In the first few days that followed, a few 
lashed out in anger, and I asked for a recognition of our common 
humanity.  I make that plea again.

We must not let our sense of violation as a community turn us against 
those who may appear to be outsiders.  There are no outsiders.  Our common 
humanity is threatened by hatred and violence.

In the wake of September 11, we turned to each other.  We drew closer 
together as a caring community.  We must not let the tragic divisions 
between the Israelis and Palestinians divide us.  We must be very 
cognizant of our language, our actions, and our feelings.  We must not 
displace our fear or anger by turning on others.  Our community is rich 
because of its diversity.  There are people here who have links to all 
parts of the globe and to many communities across this country.  Tolerance 
and respect for diversity of cultures, values and customs goes to the 
heart of what universities--and this country--are all about. 

I ask all members of the campus community to continue to support each 
other during the weeks and months ahead.  These are not easy times, but 
this university community can make them better.


Nancy Cantor
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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