Via Twitter
Indian American Neetu Chandak, a senior undergraduate student at Cornell University, received threats to her physical safety after expressing conservative views on Fox & Friends on Fox TV.
Fox News explained that the segment in question had aired last year, but resurfaced in light of Chandak’s essay posted on The College Fix headlined, “Intolerance at Cornell.”
NY Upstate reported that during the Fox News segment, Chandak discussed the difficulties she felt as a conservative student on Cornell’s liberal campus. Specifically, she criticized the Cornell course, “America Confronts the World,” in which the class used anti-Trump rhetoric while praising Obama. Chandak objected to the “liberal bias” of the course and the way it was taught, as reported by the Cornell Sun.
In response to her segment and essay, Chandak received backlash at Cornell and online. Fox reported that Chandak received constant harassment and physical threats, to the point that Chandak feared leaving her dorm and sought out counseling.
“Many found it acceptable to be hateful toward me because they perceived me as ‘hateful.’ What hypocrisy,” Chandak wrote in her essay.
In her interview with NY Upstate, she further voiced why she lets her story be known. “I am not alone in my struggle. Many people holding views similar to mine will likely not express their beliefs in the classroom or on campus out of fear of facing the isolation and threats I faced. This becomes a disadvantage for college students as the entire point is to learn about various ideas.”
Chandak further stated over a series of tweets, as reported by Little India, why she feels the demonization of conservative views on campuses is an issue. “Conservatives face serious discrimination on college campuses, especially from people who preach that they are against discrimination and hate. And with that, I will share my interview on Fox.”
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