University of Minnesota professor Melanie Yazzie has sparked controversy following her remarks at a pro-Palestinian event earlier this month, calling for the “dismantling” and “decolonize” of the United States. Her comments came during a “teach-in” organized by the Red Nation, a Native American advocacy group known for its anti-capitalist stance. The event centered on the Israel-Hamas war, where Yazzie, a professor of liberal arts, voiced strong opinions on U.S. policies and their role in global conflicts.
Yazzie’s Call for Decolonization
At the event, Yazzie urged participants to see themselves as part of a global indigenous community under U.S. occupation, drawing a direct comparison between the U.S. and Israeli actions in Palestine. “We’re all indigenous people who come from nations under occupation by the United States government,” she stated, highlighting what she perceives as the interconnected nature of U.S. and Israeli colonial practices.
“The U.S. bankrolls the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. They’re one and the same, really,” she argued, linking U.S. foreign policies to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Minnesota professor Yazzie’s remarks emphasized the need to “decolonize this place” — referring to the United States — suggesting that doing so would have global ramifications. She went so far as to describe the U.S. as “the greatest predator empire that has ever existed.”
A Vision for Global Resistance
Yazzie’s statements were not limited to the U.S. and Israel. She called for the U.S. to withdraw from multiple regions, including “Palestine” and “Turtle Island” (a term used by some Native American groups for North America). She advocated for dismantling what she referred to as the “settler project” that is the United States, asserting that the future of life on Earth hinges on such actions.
“The goal is to dismantle the settler project that is the United States for the freedom and the future of all life on this planet,” Minnesota professor Yazzie said, underscoring the global significance of decolonize efforts.
Reactions to the Hamas-Israel Conflict
Yazzie also touched on the Hamas-Israel conflict, specifically referencing the October 7th attacks by Hamas, which the U.S. and several other countries have designated a terrorist organization. She implied that the world had fundamentally changed in the wake of these events, stating, “The entire world has changed. I knew it the moment that it happened that nothing, and I mean nothing for colonizers or for any of the good, humble people of the Earth, would ever be the same ever again.”
Yazzie’s comments positioned the Palestinian cause as aligned with broader indigenous struggles. She referred to Palestine as “the alternative path for native nations” and called the struggle “righteous” and “powerful.”
Resistance and Critique of Liberalism
Yazzie, who co-hosts the podcast Red Power Hour, strongly criticized liberalism during her speech, calling it “bulls—” and “trash.” She argued that liberalism is rooted in imperialism and colonialism, masking its violence with pleasantries like “Minnesota Nice.”
“Enough with investing our time with liberalism,” she said passionately. “Resistance is the only thing…the only kind of death blows to colonialism, imperialism that have happened historically because indigenous people have resisted in the various places where this violence has touched down.”
Her message to the audience and “Palestinian relatives” was clear: The U.S. is a “violent settler project” that needs to be dismantled. Yazzie asserted that Native Americans hold a “moral authority” as the original inhabitants of the land to lead global liberation struggles.
decolonize as a Path Forward
Minnesota professor Yazzie concluded her speech with a stark message about the future of humanity and the planet, asserting that decolonize is essential for survival. “decolonize is the only thing that’s going to save us as a species,” she said, calling on attendees to embrace the movement without hesitation.
“Just be on board with it, no questions asked,” she added, stressing the urgency of her call to action.
A Controversial Message in a Divisive Time
Yazzie’s comments come at a particularly tense moment in global politics, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate. Her remarks are likely to stir debate, especially given the polarizing nature of the topics she addressed—U.S. imperialism, Israeli-Palestinian relations, and indigenous rights.
While her statements have drawn applause from some corners of the academic and activist communities, they also raise questions about the role of university professors in political advocacy. Minnesota professor Yazzie’s vision for decolonize, rooted in a critique of U.S. foreign and domestic policies, is sure to continue to spark discussion in the weeks to come.
Academic Freedom or Radical Advocacy?
As debates around academic freedom intensify in universities across the U.S., Yazzie’s comments illustrate the challenges that arise when faculty members take outspoken positions on controversial issues. The question remains whether such calls for dismantling the U.S. government represent a legitimate form of protest or cross a line into radical advocacy.
While the University of Minnesota has not publicly responded to professor Yazzie’s remarks, the event has prompted conversations about the balance between free speech and responsibility in academia. At the same time, her call for “decolonize” has resonated with many who view it as part of a broader struggle for justice and equity in both domestic and international contexts.