On PBS’s “Firing Line,” NYT Columnist and Duke Professor Frank Bruni discussed how some young progressives failed to recognize the severity of the October 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel. Host Margaret Hoover questioned Bruni, noting his position as a professor at Duke University and asking for his perspective on why this issue resonates with today’s college students.
Bruni explained that many young people approach the world through a lens that prioritizes those with less power or resources, often assuming that they are in the right. He noted that following the October 7 attack, there was a tendency among progressive students to immediately side with Palestinians without acknowledging the tragedy in Israel. Bruni observed that this mindset led some individuals to support Hamas, which he found concerning.
Overall, Bruni highlighted the need for empathy and acknowledgment of the complexities surrounding international conflicts, urging for a more nuanced approach to social justice advocacy.
