SMH
The University of Southern California said its valedictorian will no longer deliver a graduation speech this year, citing "substantial risks relating to security" over social media chatter surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Los Angeles school revealed that Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year student from Chino Hills, California, was selected as the valedictorian and would give a speech alongside two salutatorians. In a news releaseMonday, the university said she would no longer speak at the ceremony after the discussion about her selection took on "an alarming tenor."
The move comes after some students, alumni and others complained to the university about Tabassum's social media, which includes an Instagram bio that links to a pro-Palestine website.
"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement.
Guzman said the school can not ignore that similar risks led to harassment and violence at other campuses. He added that the school's Department of Public Safety and campus safety team have consulted to evaluate potential threats for graduation, which typically draws around 65,000 people.
"This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe," he said.
Groups call to reverse USC decision
Tabassum addressed the university's decision in a statement released through the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles.
"Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all," Tabassum said.
The council said the school's decision empowers voices of hate, violates its obligation to project students and "sends a terrible message to not only Muslim students at USC but all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity." It's also urging the community to demand the school to allow Tassabum to speak at graduation.
Among the calls against Tassabum as a graduation speaker were student group "Trojans For Israel," who said her selection turned "an inclusive and meaningful milestone into an unwelcoming and intolerant environment for Jewish graduates and their families."
The 2024 commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 10.
War in Gaza stokes controversy worldwide
Controversies over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict have been amplified since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people.
Over 30,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since that day. The region is also difficult to access, leaving many civilians displaced and facing famine.
The crisis had led to protests for the release of Israeli hostages and to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, with those speaking out in support of Israelis and Palestinians on social media receiving threats.
this is what cultural Jihad looks like
the Muslim world view is 'inclusive'
alternative world views, not so much...
Whatever happened to the nerdy girls from Bakersfield who were usually USC's Valedictorians? How did things get so out of hand......The wars in the Middle East have been going on for centuries and will continue as long as there are hot-headed Arabs enjoying perpetual bloodsport so damn much.
never mind that she is correct.
Notice Yahoo didn't bother to tell us what those links had to say.
Hate on Asna! sc
Fantastic move by USC. Smart. Totally on this. I’ve been to too many college graduations where valedictorians or guest speakers held the audience hostage for an hour while they selfishly droned on about some political point that they want to make. Nobody cared. Nobody wanted to listen everybody was hot hot and they just wanted the whole thing especially that speech over with.
I’m sorry but 30,000 people aren’t there to listen to you about Sudan. Earth Day. Testing products on animals. Quality of cafeteria food. Global warming. The coming Ice Age. or your views on LBGTQioabc. You are 22 or 23. You are a child. You know nothing other than what you’ve read in a book read online or had some bitter Professor who failed to perform in real life and had to revert to teaching, indoctrinate you
So pick up your little diploma wave to your family. Take your picture. Have your five seconds of recognition fame or silliness. Thank your God and get the blank off stage anything more than “congratulations graduates. We are the class of 2024“ is too long for a speech.