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Dear John--
The equivalent of the Nobel Prize for computer science has been awarded to a professor with a history of xenophobic, anti-Iranian commentary and who boasted about abusing his power to discriminate against Iranian students.
Professor Jeffrety Ullman gained notoriety in 2011 when his public blog posts espousing anti-Iranian, anti-immigrant, and anti-Native American views first came to light. [1] Most notably, it was also revealed that Ullman proudly singled out Iranian students for discrimination -- telling at least one student that he would not help Iranian students or applicants unless they answered for the views of the Iranian government. [2]
That's why we are joining the chorus of voices calling for ACM to reconsider honoring Ullman with this award.
The issue is not one man or what lies in his heart, the issue is the normalization and even justification of bigotry and xenophobia against immigrant communities like ours. Iranian Americans know well how tensions between the U.S. government and governments abroad can materialize here at home in bigotry and discrimination. From Japanese Internment to the Muslim Ban to rising attacks on Asian Americans today, immigrant communites are often scapegoated amidst geopolitical tensions.
Rather than accept this as fact, or hope that we can protect ourselves and our families from bigotry by keeping our heads down, we must call these actions out when we see them. We cannot stand by silently when demonization or discrimination against our community, or any immigrant community, takes place lest we become complicit in allowing this behavior to be normalized.
Join us in sending a message to call on ACM to reconsider and withdraw this award. We look forward to continuing this conversation with you and continuing to find ways to address racism and xenophobia wherever we see it.
Add your name below to join the chorus of Iranian Americans and our allies in expressing our disappointment in the ACM’s decision to award the Alan Turing award to Jefferey Ullman despite his history of making xenophobic comments.
Thank you for making a difference,
Team NIAC
Contribute
[1] Statement: Professor Jeffrey Ullman’s discriminatory comments against students - Code.org
[2] Statement on the Selection of Jeffrey Ullman for a Turing Award - CSforinclusion
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