A former New York University instructor, Cea Weaver, recently appointed as a housing advisor to a city mayoral candidate, is now largely absent from the university’s website. The removal of her online presence coincides with escalating scrutiny over her deeply controversial political views.
NYU claims the decision to remove Weaver’s faculty page was made to shield her from “harassment” stemming from her publicly expressed ideologies. This explanation raises a pointed question: would such protective measures be necessary if her ideas enjoyed broader acceptance, or were perceived as reasonable?
Weaver’s past statements have ignited considerable debate, including assertions that private property functions as a “weapon of white supremacy” and calls to specifically “impoverish the white middle class.” She has also argued that the very concept of homeownership is inherently racist.
A particularly uncomfortable moment occurred when reporters questioned Weaver about the disparity between her anti-homeowner rhetoric and her mother’s ownership of a $1.6 million property. The encounter reportedly left Weaver visibly distressed.
Prior to her removal, Weaver taught a one-credit course titled “Community Organizing + Advocacy Skills” at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. The course focused on the practical application of community activism and advocacy techniques.
The university’s decision to remove Weaver’s information followed reports detailing her past social media posts and communist leanings. A professor who collaborated with Weaver stated the action was taken specifically to safeguard her “privacy” amid the growing backlash.
Interestingly, the professor who explained the reasoning behind the removal, Gianpaolo Baiocchi, was himself arrested earlier in the year for participating in a pro-Hamas encampment on campus. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
The unfolding events suggest a growing tension between academic freedom, public accountability, and the potential consequences of controversial political beliefs. New York City now faces a critical juncture, poised to experience the real-world implications of these ideologies in the realm of housing policy.
Weaver is no longer employed by the university, and her course listing has been completely removed from NYU’s website, marking a decisive break between the institution and the former instructor.
