Students react to USC making rare cancellation of speech by valedictorian who supported Palestinians

(16 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles - 16 April 2024
1. Various of the University of Southern California campus
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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dylan Luden, journalism student:
"The USC administration came out yesterday and said that our valedictorian will not be giving a speech this year due to safety concerns that they have. Apparently there has been threats about her views that were pro-Palestinian. So they took back her speech. And from what I know, this is the first time that a USC valedictorian will not be giving a speech."
3. Various of university buildings
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4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dylan Luden, journalism student:
" I think a lot of people are upset about that. And it's kind of people are like believing that it's just kind of limiting her free speech. They're just confused as to why, you know, she's not going to be able to due to security concerns when there was a former president on our campus literally last year in Barack Obama."
5. Student Daphne Yaman holds up stickers in support of Palestinians
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6. SOUNDBITE (English) Daphne Yaman, student:
"Obviously, there's now a lot of pushback coming from students, including myself, because they are silencing a brown hijabi woman's voice, first generation, STEM from speaking at our commencement when she rightfully earned that position."
7. A sign on campus
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8. SOUNDBITE (English) Isabella Griggs, student:
"Well, first of all, I think that she should speak because there was no inkling of her causing any harm. And she's talking about issues that are important to not only our university and to students, but to the world. And I think that that is someone that should speak as a valedictorian and like she's more than qualified."
9. Students walk to classes
10. A statue on campus
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11. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan, student:
"She embodies what it means to be a valedictorian for USC and to take that away from her- at least the honor that comes attached to it- is extremely disappointing because this is her moment to enjoy. This is her graduation."
12. A sign on campus promotes the upcoming graduation commencement
STORYLINE:
The University of Southern California has canceled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian, a Muslim student who has expressed support for Palestinians, citing substantial security risks for the event that draws 65,000 people to campus.

The decision was announced in a statement Monday by Andrew T. Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Guzman cited the “alarming tenor” of reaction to the school's choice of valedictorian.

The valedictorian is Asna Tabassum, who is graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide.

Tabassum says in a statement to the Los Angeles Times the university abandoned her after she was subjected to racist hatred by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices.

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[ImeiHo]

Human right is for all, there is point to take any side

[lisawatkins]

Hey smart folks in college, here's an idea: Have her record her speech and play it on screens for the audience to see at the graduation. She gets her well-deserved moment and everyone is safe.

[shabanaferoz]

Wow! Is that the childlike standard of UCF? Very disappointing

[SotaAnzai]

I am a graduate student in Japan, studying Frankfurt school, especially Walter Benjamin, and lived in Boston to study fine art. I am in solidarity with students who stand up and speak out for peace, justice and human rights. Latest academism and education are focusing on issues of human rights and post-colonialism, so the students who speak out do nothing wrong and should be proud of yourself.

[kimle]

There are other graduates who would be perfectly qualified for this role but since USC had become pretty woke in the past couple of decades, I would not be surprised if their pick of this student had been born out of their DEI ideology. However, given this political climate, they probably realized quickly that this is not the right time for such a risky choice. We don't need another speech that may incite supports for Palestinians, hence supporting Hamas who had been proven to be dangerous terrorists not only to Israel but who would not have missed a chance to chant " Death to America" or "Death to the West". I had two kids at USC prior to the spread of woke ideologies and had been disappointed with some of their past decisions. However, for once, I applauded USC decision to go with another valedictorian speaker.

[MyWissam]

Maybe she can still deliver her speech through an alternative medium ... You, young people, have alternatives, you are not tethered to "establishment" institutions and instruments.

[AshokGupta-oqhs]

Sirs&Madams, should a political speech be allowed in a public function of an academic institution?
Palestine-Israel war is a political humanitarian issue.
And it is clear that hijabi student's speech will focus on Palestinian 's death vis a vis israel army actions and will generate high levels of emotions and possibly violence.
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[brave-il]

These students show that the quality of American college students has declined significantly. Canceling speeches does not limit your freedom of speech, but people have the right to decide whether to listen to your nonsense. University is a place to improve academic standards and moral cultivation, not a stage to force others to accept you.