To the editor:

As a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Kansas, I feel compelled to state that the recent statement by the KU GTA Coalition, or GTAC, condemning the existence of Israel does not represent my views. I can only speak for myself, though I suspect I am not alone in my feelings.

First, it is important to understand that while GTAC “represents” all 900-plus GTAs at KU for contract negotiations, only a small number of GTAs are actually dues-paying members of the union. In other words, the leadership of GTAC, who wrote the statement, is elected by only a handful of GTAs. To be frank, most GTAs on campus are probably aware of GTAC only peripherally.

Second, what disappoints me the most is both the statement’s callousness and the juvenility of its logic; as educated individuals, we should be able to consider the issues of colonialism and oppression of Palestinians while at the same time condemning the horrific terrorist attack committed by Hamas. As educators, we must be careful with our language, approach controversial topics with balance and objectivity, and avoid doing or saying things that harm our students. Finally, with GTAC currently engaged in protracted contract negotiations with the KU administration, I feel the union leadership’s time would be better spent working on this issue rather than writing a damaging statement about an international geopolitical incident far outside of GTAC’s purview.

Michael D. Wray,

Lawrence