College Group Punished After Posting 56 Year Old Cartoon
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Duke University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) posted an Emory Douglas anti-imperialism/anti-Zionism cartoon to its Instagram page that originally appeared in a 1970 Black Panther newspaper. The e-flier was used to promote a SJP event. Complaints about the nature of the cartoon resulted in Duke University suspending all funds and campus activities for the organization.
From Ruth Jane Gathje for Campus Reform:
Duke University froze the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter’s funding and barred the group from hosting campus activities after students complained that one of its social media posts was anti-Semitic.
According to The Chronicle, Duke’s Office of Institutional Equity received about 10 student complaints over an Instagram post advertising the chapter’s March 19, 2026 meeting on “Iran, Zionism, and U.S. Imperialism.” The chapter was asked to remove the post and did so voluntarily.
The post featured artwork by Emory Douglas depicting two pigs, one marked “U.S. Imperialism” and another bearing a Star of David and the word “Zionism.” Ben Adams, associate dean for QuadEx, told The Chronicle that the chapter was informed that the image is likely considered harassment under Duke’s policies.
The matter remains under review by Duke Student Affairs. The Chronicle reported that chapter leaders said the image “was never intended to be antisemitic” and argued that criticism of Zionism as a political movement is not the same as targeting Jewish people.
From Adrianne Sinclair at Hoodline:
According to the Society of Illustrators, Douglas’s work helped define the era’s provocative visual language around race and politics.
In an email to student leaders, Ben Adams, Duke’s senior associate dean of students, said that “reports indicate that the image of pigs holding a Star of David is harassment under the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct and the Duke Community Standard,” according to The News & Observer.
Duke officials have told reporters that the freeze is an interim step within its conduct process and does not represent a final finding of responsibility.
National advocacy groups quickly jumped in. StopAntisemitism called the flyer dehumanizing and urged the university to hold individuals accountable, according to reporting by Fox News. Separate coverage by Jewish Insider reported that roughly 10 students filed complaints with Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity after the flyer appeared on Instagram.
Abe Books has the cover and back page of the March 1970 “Imperialists” edition of The Black Panther.
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