Claudine Gay’s ousting reveals that the messenger is still an easier target than the message | Kenan Malik

The head of Harvard's fate was sealed when she became the focus of a culture war battle over antisemitism, plagiarism and free speech

For some, she is the wretched epitomeof the liberal elite; for others, the victim of a racist mob". She herself condemns her critics for having recycled tired racial stereotypes". As an illustration of the way that culture wars warp political judgment and push people into tribal corners, the case of Claudine Gay may be Exhibit 1.

Gay, who became Harvard University's first black president in July, was forced last week to resign, the culmination of a bitter controversy at the heart of which are tussles over some of the most polarising issues of theday: racism, antisemitism, plagiarism, free speech and diversity.

Kenan Malik is an Observer columnist

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