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In the maelstrom of turbulent socio-political change, television stalwart Dr. Phil McGraw raises his voice to join the din. It’s not for the purposes of joining any popular wave that his voice resonates, but rather to deliver a vehement denunciation. The target of his fury is not some individual or organization typically associated with intolerance or hate speech, but rather the renowned fortresses of higher learning – American universities. Potent words dispensed from his widely respected platform denounce these institutions as “left-liberal woke hotbeds” that foster what he calls an “intellectual rot.”

Rising anti-Semitism, a seemingly age-old menace, finds a new breeding ground in American universities, and Dr. Phil’s scorching criticism is but a drop in the ocean of mounting concerns. His words echo and amplify the outcry following recent testimonies of multiple university presidents at a House of Representatives committee. These dialogues sparked worry, as pointed statements emanating from student groups flatly blamed Israel for violent actions committed by Hamas. The universities’ evidently muddled stance in handling these incidents, coupled with their waffly policies on free speech and hate speech, prompted Dr. Phil’s impassioned outburst.

Dr. Phil’s audacious condemnation emerged as more than idle talk-show fodder. He highlighted the broader societal impacts by drawing attention to the transfer of prejudices from academic sphere to corporate America. He stared fiercely into the camera, reminding the leaders in the audience, “You are leaders. You don’t pick sides here. This is not about a territorial dispute. […] How dare you sit there and play semantics with this congressional panel when you know what was done that day, and what is being supported against your Jewish students?”

On December 5, Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) joined the chorus, grilling Harvard University President, Claudine Gay, about the institution’s handling of hate speech, particularly the surge in anti-Semitic sentiments. Gay claimed a commitment to free speech even in the face of offensive and hateful rhetoric, yet the follow up question from Stefanik starkly highlighted the inadequacies in protection for Jewish students in Harvard.

Dr. Phil’s unequivocal condemnation and Stefanik’s blistering critique encapsulate the increasing worries about anti-Semitism on American campuses. Rising in tandem with the omnipresent dialogue of free speech, the voices demanding change grow louder. Harvard’s record of poorly guarding their Jewish students has been set on full display.

Whether these bastions of education will take heed and act remains to be seen. All eyes are now trained onto these arenas of learning, perceived by many as a hotbed of brewing anti-Semitism. Will they move to extinguish this smoldering social issue or merely continue to fan the flames under the guise of free speech? The groundswell of criticism led by figures such as Dr. Phil demands that a clear answer be given sooner rather than later. Anti-Semitism is not a dormant issue buried in the annals of history but a proliferating malaise that needs stamping out in this moment. This is Dr. Phil’s call to arms, a piercing demand for justice, and a standoff for the safeguard of free speech.