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Coventina

(27,143 posts) Tue Apr 16, 2024, 02:59 PM Apr 16

USC says it's canceling pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech over security concerns [View all]

The University of Southern California has sparked condemnation from a leading Muslim group after it canceled a planned commencement speech by its valedictorian, citing security concerns due to tensions over “the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”

Asna Tabassum said she was told Monday that she would no longer be able to give a speech as she and other graduates at the Los Angeles university are celebrated on May 10.

“I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,” Tabassum said in a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in an announcement Monday that “over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/usc-cancels-pro-palestinian-valedictorian-speech-security-israel-war-rcna147954

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Her social media posts are about the complete annihilation of Israel.
She does not have a "free-speech" right to be valedictorian. Why would the school want to honor such a hateful person?

I'm glad she's "canceled."

88 replies

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USC says it's canceling pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech over security concerns [View all] Coventina Apr 16 OP

The learning continues long after school's over. calimary Apr 16 #1

Being that this is government action, free speech is very much a concern here. Cuthbert Allgood Apr 16 #2

Absolutely not! No one calling for mass murder should be honored. n/t Coventina Apr 16 #3

But she still is the valedictorian. Cuthbert Allgood Apr 16 #4

Too bad, so sad. Her threatening posts on social media Coventina Apr 16 #5

Where did she call for mass murder? Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #16

Are you claiming that the eradication of Israel would NOT be mass murder? Coventina Apr 16 #17

The term that was used in link Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #21

Please explain how "abolishment" would work without mass murder. Coventina Apr 16 #22

Organized states come and go throughout history. Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #28

Dissolving is not abolishment. Coventina Apr 16 #32

The vision that many Palestinians share is Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #35

You think the UN is going to "dissolve" Israel? Coventina Apr 16 #38

Slow down; this is not my vision; this is the vision of many like Asna Tabassum. Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #42

There are already large numbers of Muslims in Israel! Coventina Apr 16 #45

They are second class citizens who live in fear and many restrictions. Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #47

Calling for the end of Israel is antisemitic and calling for the eradication of Jews. Coventina Apr 16 #53

That is your opinion and we will just have to disagree on both counts. N/T Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #54

You wouldn't happen to have a link proving the claim sarisataka Apr 16 #40

The Idea of a One State Solution is gaining support both in Palestine Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #46

As Wikipedia itself notes, there is no reference when the alleged support increased sarisataka Apr 16 #49

Some Jewish zionists wanted Israel to be a secular nation. PufPuf23 Apr 17 #77

The military branches of Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbollah, wnylib Apr 16 #37

Not to mention the Palestinian Authority has a "Pay to Slay" program that rewards Coventina Apr 16 #39

How do you actually get from murderous Hamas to Asna Tabassum? Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #43

From the OP, it appears that she does support wnylib Apr 16 #50

Well Said, wnylib TY! Cha Apr 17 #64

Well, I'm damned tired of so much misinformation fueling wnylib Apr 17 #68

☝ THIS! ☝ ShazzieB Apr 17 #74

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 17 #79

How does a unitary Israel without a two state solution occur PufPuf23 Apr 17 #80

I also want a two-state solution, but that is not what this student is advocating. n/t Coventina Apr 17 #81

She didn't call for mass murder obamanut2012 Apr 16 #23

How would that work, without mass murder? Coventina Apr 16 #27

USC is a private school AZSkiffyGeek Apr 16 #6

My bad. I read it in my head as UCLA. Not sure why. Cuthbert Allgood Apr 16 #9

Public v. private universities mahatmakanejeeves Apr 16 #13

Its not a government action. former9thward Apr 16 #25

USC is a private university. Valedictorians earn their spot spooky3 Apr 16 #29

They describe a selection process in the article Prairie Gates Apr 17 #78

Government action? Zeitghost Apr 16 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author ShazzieB Apr 17 #60

I think Ontheboundry Apr 17 #76

The Question is Open as to Whether a Jewish Ethno-State is Justified Considering the Holocaust Giordano Burno Apr 16 #7

The question is not open, it was done, whether anyone agrees with it or not. Coventina Apr 16 #8

Where does she say "annihilation"? Giordano Burno Apr 16 #18

Calling for the erasure (however worded) of Israel is antisemitism. Coventina Apr 16 #19

The phrase was Giordano Burno Apr 16 #41

None of your examples in any way equates to the nation of Israel. None. Coventina Apr 16 #44

If my Home was an Antebellum Plantation Giordano Burno Apr 16 #58

The "stupid animals in Congress"? ShazzieB Apr 17 #61

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 17 #67

👍 ShazzieB Apr 17 #72

You comparing the nation of Israel to a slave-based plantation is extremely gross and offensive. Coventina Apr 17 #62

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 17 #66

chattel slavery and the situation in the Middle East are in NO WAY comparable! Coventina Apr 17 #69

I absosolutely agree, Coventina! ShazzieB Apr 17 #73

No need to apologize! You are 100% correct! Coventina Apr 17 #75

Whatever she wishes about Isreael it's Not Cha Apr 17 #84

This message was self-deleted by its author emulatorloo Apr 16 #31

Your history is a bit off. Jews are indigenous to Palestine, wnylib Apr 16 #48

Your 4th paragraph Mountainguy Apr 16 #57

Security concerns from whom? WhiskeyGrinder Apr 16 #10

I think it's concern about fights between the two sides. n/t Coventina Apr 16 #12

Should have been done out of taste. BannonsLiver Apr 16 #11

Oh wow.. I was wondering why Cha Apr 16 #14

Ironic, right?! Behind the Aegis Apr 16 #20

Exactly LeftInTX Apr 16 #24

Oh Wow.. Exactly! Cha Apr 16 #26

Good. nt LexVegas Apr 16 #15

Great decision by USC. She doesn't get to inflict herself Nixie Apr 16 #30

Inflammatory political speeches have no place at commencement ceremonies. sop Apr 16 #51

Where does it say her speech is inflammatory? Big Blue Marble Apr 16 #56

Her social media posts called for the "complete abolishment of the state of Israel." SunSeeker Apr 17 #59

But how do we know that is what her speech would be? Cuthbert Allgood Apr 17 #70

Are you suggesting USC should give its mic to someone who believes Israel should be "completely abolished"? SunSeeker Apr 17 #71

Judging from the comments on this thread alone, it's clear her commencement address would have created sop Apr 17 #65

Way to lead the next Generation USC!.. Not. Westcoast4life Apr 16 #33

It's Not USC who is in the Wrong. Cha Apr 16 #36

The university made the correct decision. beaglelover Apr 16 #34

There's a reason the nickname used to be AkFemDem Apr 16 #52

You can debate the merits of this childish desire PCIntern Apr 17 #63

I get what you are saying, but i worry where this is going. karynnj Apr 17 #82

This never was about the content of her intended speech. Big Blue Marble Apr 17 #83

USC: Don't blame Jews for canceling your valedictorian Behind the Aegis Apr 18 #85

Rob Eshman makes a Lot of sense. Cha Apr 18 #88

USC has a right to defend itself! Bucky Apr 18 #86

I think should've let her speak. Either she was going to create a disturbance or she wasn't. betsuni Apr 18 #87