Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) questioned Columbia University President Minouche Shafik during a hearing regarding the House’s antisemitism probe about a document that she says students distributed on campus, in which “folks” is spelled “f-o-l-x.”
“Can you help me understand something else? I didn’t go to an Ivy League school, admittedly. Can you explain why the word ‘folks’ is spelled ‘f-o-l-x’ throughout this guidebook and in other places at the School of Social Work? What does that mean?” Rep. Banks asked. “Serious question.”
“They don't know how to spell?” Shafik replied. “I mean, I'm not familiar with that spelling.”
“I don’t find it a laughing matter,” Banks shot back.
“No, I’m not laughing either,” the university president insisted.
“You’re denying that this is a official product of the school, but this is handed out … You are aware that it’s handed out to all of your students, and you’re not doing anything to stop it,” Banks continued. “Does Columbia University recognize the word? Because it’s not found in the Webster’s Dictionary or anywhere else, ‘Ashkenormativity.’ Is that an acceptable term at Columbia University?”
“Congressman, I am with you,” Shafik responded, but she also clarified the document is “not an official product of the administration.”
