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Quillette Podcast
The (Other) Scandal at Oberlin College
Aug 28, 2024
Roya Hakakian, an author and journalist, joins Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a former Iranian official turned peace advocate, to discuss Mahallati's controversial time at Oberlin College. They delve into Mahallati's complex past and the students' unawareness of his role in a regime linked to human rights abuses. The conversation covers the intricacies of post-9/11 peace efforts, the haunting legacy of Iran's mass executions in 1988, and the ethical dilemmas facing academic institutions when vetting their faculty.
38:45
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Quick takeaways
- Mohammad Jafar Mahalati's deceptive narrative allowed him to gain acceptance at Oberlin College despite his troubling connections to Iran's oppressive regime.
- The backlash against Mahalati highlights Oberlin College's institutional blindness, prioritizing inclusivity over accountability amidst mounting evidence of his controversial past.
Deep dives
The Dark Past of Mohammed Jaffar Mahalati
The history of Mohammed Jaffar Mahalati reveals a significant connection to the oppressive regime in Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Mahalati, the son of a prominent Iranian cleric, served as Iran's ambassador to the United Nations during a period marked by brutal government repression against dissidents. He defended the regime's actions and policies, notably during the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988, which claimed thousands of lives, including that of human rights activist Laudan Bazargan's brother. Despite his troubling history, Mahalati later occupied a professorial position at Oberlin College, presenting a narrative that obscured his involvement with the regime he once supported.
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