Many universities in the US have devised methods to manage pro-Palestine protests on their campuses. New York University (NYU) has adopted a unique approach by requiring protestors to watch The Simpsons as a form of punishment.
NYU students have been demonstrating for months, and on April 22, the police dismantled all protest encampments, arresting over a hundred individuals. While only a few were detained, many were assigned to watch The Simpsons as a corrective measure.
The students were required to watch Season 10, episode 7 of the show. In this episode, Lisa receives an ‘A’ grade for cheating but later confesses to her teacher and Principal Skinner.
“We’ve never seen NYU use [these papers] before in this manner”, Rebecca Karl, a Professor of History told The Guardian. Karl also emphasised how NYU is asking for a confession when students cannot be honest about their protests and demonstrations.
NYU spokesperson John Beckman told The Guardian, “Reflection paper assignments – and reading assignments – are a widespread and common practice in higher education.”
The Simpsons: An animated comedy series blending cultural critique with humor
The Simpsons is an animated comedy series that follows the Simpson family in the town of Springfield, offering commentary on American culture and society. It combines cultural critique with humor.
The protestors are required to answer 12 questions about the episode, focusing on the principal’s ethical decisions. The students are expected to learn ethical practices from the sitcom.
Additionally, the university has mandated that students write a ‘reflection paper’ on their misbehavior and how they can make amends. They must also imagine facing a similar situation in the future and reflect on how they would respond differently, according to The Guardian.
An NYU law professor criticized this reflection paper in an open letter to the NYU administration, calling it “coerced confessions of wrongdoing.” However, several NYU professors have opposed the university’s unique measure.
The NYU administration has also claimed that the pro-Palestine protestors were brainwashed.
Some students are being required to complete seven modules, part of the “Ethos Integrity Series,” a document that informs students how they have been incorrect. While the university believes these steps are in the best interest of the students, the faculty and the protestors are outraged by NYU’s corrective path.
While the university is leveraging The Simpsons for this purpose, it remains to be seen if NYU protesters will change as a result.
