At the Socialism 2025 convention, University of Chicago Assistant Professor Eman Abdelhadi labeled her university as ‘evil’ and a ‘colonialist landlord,’ while emphasizing that she remains at the institution to leverage her position for left-wing organizing. During her remarks at the panel titled ‘Revolutionary Accompaniment: Holding Each Other When Things Fall Apart,’ Abdelhadi acknowledged the challenges of the Palestine solidarity movement in gaining power but argued that the university offers a unique opportunity for structural leverage due to its size as an employer in Chicago.
Abdelhadi, who teaches in the Department of Comparative Human Development, described herself as a ‘young brown queer woman’ during the panel. The professor’s comments come amid heightened tensions at university campuses over anti-Israel activism, which intensified following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel. The university’s role as a major employer and its historical ties to colonialism have been points of contention, with some activists seeking to use its institutional power for their causes.
The University of Chicago and Professor Abdelhadi did not respond to requests for comment, but the controversy highlights the broader debate over activism on campuses and the intersection of academic institutions with political movements. The incident also underscores the complex dynamics between individuals seeking to use their positions for political gain and the institutions they are affiliated with.