Professor Russell Rickford of Cornell University has returned to teaching after a voluntary leave following his controversial remarks at an anti-Israel rally, where he described the October 7 Hamas attacks as 'exhilarating' and 'energizing.' Despite facing significant backlash and calls for dismissal from students and Jewish organizations, Cornell determined that his comments, made as a private citizen, fell under free speech protections. Rickford later apologized for his words, which he claimed were intended to express solidarity with Palestinian suffering, yet they were perceived by many as a glorification of violence. His return has been met with renewed criticism amid concerns of rising antisemitism in the U.S. after the Israel-Hamas conflict. The decision has sparked debates about academic freedom, free speech, and the university's responsibility to address antisemitism on campus. As he resumes teaching, Rickford is set to instruct courses on African American visions and socialism in America.