Q&A of the Day – Who Was Behind Antisemitic Test Questions Used at Florida Universities?
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
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Today’s Entry: Submitted via talkback. Today’s question is about the company behind antisemitic test questions found in Florida’s universities.
Bottom Line: Last week we learned 12 universities across the state had been tasked with reviewing test questions for potential antisemitism. The review comes following the recent discovery of antisemitic questioning in FIU tests in the Terrorism and Homeland Security course. An investigation into FIU’s test questions found that the questions were randomly selected from a test bank of 1,500 that may be possibly used by other schools within the state.
Specifically, these multiple-choice questions were documented in testing material:
- When Israelis practice terrorism, they often refer to it as... (the “correct” answer is cited as self-defense)
- In which country did the Zionists purchase land to create their new homeland? (the “correct” answer is cited as Palestine)
- Terrorism began with two Zionist organizations the Irgun Zvai Leumi and...(the “correct” answer is cited as the Stern Gang)
Additionally, there were other non-antisemitic but still highly questionable questions identified such as this:
- Which of the following was the greatest mistake according to the Muslims? (The Deification of Jesus)
These questions were originally flagged on June 26 (as was noted by State Rep. Randy Fine at the time) and the subsequent investigation led to where we are today with a review of test questions at a dozen universities across the state. That takes us to addressing today’s question. As reported by Inside Higher Ed, following an interview with Fine: Fine, in his interview with Inside Higher Ed Thursday, placed blame for what happened at the university on the textbook used in the Terrorism and Homeland Security class, along with a faculty committee that approved the use of the textbook. He said the faculty committees who reviewed the book either support “Muslim terror” or don’t read the textbooks they’re supposed to review. Notably, the adjunct FIU professor who delivered the test, Mario Reyes, is also a US Department of Defense employee raising additional questions about what was potentially oversight or an intentional decision to go along with the questions offered by the textbook. So, what is that textbook?
The book in question is Terrorism and Homeland Security (10th Edition) authored by Jonathan White and Steven Chermak and the publisher is Cengage Learning. The book was published in 2021 and has been adopted by many colleges and universities since its publication. On that note, The Floridian first reported on the problem in 2021 in their story: Florida University Teaches Students Using Anti-Semitic Textbook. However, the report was ignored by FIU and didn’t gain traction but apparently this type of antisemitic material has been taught at the university for a minimum of three years.
Jonathan R. White is professor of honors, emeritus, at Michigan’s Grand Valley State University. He is said to have been summoned to the Bureau of Justice Assistance to direct the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) program after the attacks of 9/11. He conducted counterterrorism training for law enforcement and military forces in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and throughout the United States. A recognized expert on religious terrorism.
Steven Chermak is a professor of criminal justice at Michigan State University and an investigator for the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology, and Education Center. As is stated... His research on terrorism, cyberterrorism, school shootings and mass shootings has led to the development of databases using open source materials. The Extremist Crime Database is a first of its kind national database on criminal activities involving U.S. far right, far left and jihadist extremists and includes data on violent and financial crimes, characteristics of violent groups and the nature of foiled plots. The American School Shooting Study database covers all fatal and nonfatal shootings occurring on school grounds since 1990, including characteristics of incidents, perpetrators and schools. The Mass Shooting Database includes all mass shooting events occurring in the United States since 1990.
Boston-based Cengage is referred to as “the leading provider of higher education course materials”. And that perhaps speaks to a broader concern that should be addressed by the ongoing investigation. What role did both of the authors and the publisher play in the dissemination of antisemitic and related inappropriate questions? How many other materials used by schools across the state and beyond may also be similarly corrupted or course material compromised?
Once again, the key to exposing and addressing this issue was someone who was willing to blow the whistle on it. At this point it’s unclear whether this is an isolated incident with this book or whether it’s indicative of something broader. Regardless, it’s unlikely to be the last time inappropriate material makes its way into the classroom.