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John,

How can we have a conversation in America that condemns the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attack and kidnappings, reckons with what has transpired since, and respects the stories and struggles, the trauma and tears, of both Arab Americans and Jewish Americans?

That’s the question I asked at the beginning of my speech [[link removed]] to the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan. I was deeply honored to be in Dearborn to receive a “Profile in Courage” award in recognition of my support for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

But I’m also deeply troubled both by the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and by the collapse of civil dialogue in America. We need to find better ways to have difficult conversations in America.

Read excerpts from my speech in the Washington Post: To best protect freedom of speech, let’s speak to one another. [[link removed]]

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I am proud of young people in America today. Despite the attention-grabbing headlines, many of them are building multi-faith coalitions that respect each other’s traditions.
Historically speaking, student-led movements have been the conscience of our nation, challenging wars abroad and unjust political norms at home, whether it be for civil rights, women's rights, or gay rights. Today, students –– Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and nonbelievers –– are coming together to insist that America speak up for justice for Palestine and for an end to the brutal war.

Our nation must always stand for free speech, whether that speech is critical of Israel, of Hamas, or of America itself. Criticism of the policies of a government in power is neither a rejection of patriotism nor an expression of bigotry.

An open society like ours is designed for sharp disagreement and controversy. But the defense of dissent does not absolve us of the moral responsibility to call out protests when they devolve into toxic and vile threats against Jews or any ethnic group. Prejudice is not a form of discussion.

Our standard for discourse cannot be merely the toleration of the other. Toleration itself requires the unequivocal rejection of antisemitism or Islamophobia. More than toleration, what is needed is respect for differing narratives. Not approval, but respect.

We need fewer shouters today and more thinkers. More peacemakers. Americans must step forward and offer novel solutions to problems that have overwhelmed and confounded the current Washington establishment.

I hope you take 5 minutes to read my speech in The Washington Post [[link removed]] . You can text me at (650) 999-9610 to let me know what you think.

Thank you for your activism and all that you do.

Onward,
Ro


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