BUZZ
University officials now investigating possible civil rights violations
A food fest group at Northwestern University is now facing a civil rights investigation after it canceled its event rather than allow a pro-Israel group to participate.
Cultural Food Fest, a project of Spoon University, apologized for the “hurt” it caused by letting Wildcats for Israel register for a spot at the event, which was scheduled for Nov. 6.
The group says its goal is to bring together different cultures, which is why it canceled the event after opposition from several other participants.
“We condemn the ongoing genocide in Gaza and do not condone political organizations advancing the efforts that perpetuate it,” Spoon University stated.
Wildcats for Israel criticized the decision.
“Our connection to Israel does not tell you anything about our values or opinions,” the group wrote. “When we lose the ability to speak across our differences, we lose our ability to solve problems and grow together.”
The Daily Northwestern reports that other groups criticized Spoon University for allowing in Wildcats for Israel.
The student newspaper reported:
NU’s Asian Pacific American Coalition, Alianza and the Middle Eastern North African Student Association posted a joint statement on Instagram on Thursday regarding their withdrawal from Cultural Food Fest.
“A cultural food festival ultimately provides Spoon a way to check off a box and profit off of the cultural knowledge and labor of students,” the groups wrote in their statement. “Inviting MENA and other affected student organizations while simultaneously platforming an organization that supports the Israeli state’s actions places those students in an unacceptable position.”
nuAZN, NU’s Asian-interest publication, also wrote in a Thursday Instagram story that they had withdrawn from the event, adding that participation in the event “would not align with our values, specifically our opposition to the ongoing violence against Palestinians.”
However, the cancelation could cause more headaches for Spoon University.
The university has now suspended the club while an investigation from its civil rights office proceeds.
Club leaders told members it is not allowed to “hold general meetings, host events, or participate in school-wide events as an organization until further notice,” according to an email reviewed by the Daily Northwestern.
The Northwestern chapter is part of a national network of campus-driven groups that report on food. “Spoon is powered by student contributors across the country, who make up a network of over 3,000 students at over 100 campuses nationwide,” its website states. Two Northwestern students started the group in 2012, though the entity now falls under Her Campus Media.
One founder, Mackenzie Barth, is Jewish and previously has spoken about her involvement with Hillel at Northwestern.
The other founder, Sarah Adler, grew up in a home with a Jewish dad and Christian mom, according to a 2015 profile of the duo in Times of Israel.
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