Amid controversy surrounding the cancellation of a commencement speech by a Muslim valedictorian, the University of Southern California has announced that there will be no outside speakers or honorees at their main stage commencement event. This decision came after criticism of the university’s choice to cancel the speech due to security concerns. Asna Tabassum, the valedictorian, expressed her shock and disappointment, feeling abandoned by USC and accusing the university of “caving to fear and rewarding hatred.” Pro-Israel and Jewish groups had complained about Tabassum’s social media posts linking to content advocating for Palestinian liberation and the abolishment of Israel, though she claims to have added the link five years ago and was not the author.
The planned keynote address by USC alum Jon M. Chu, director of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Wicked,” was also canceled, along with honorary degrees that were to be awarded to him and tennis star Billie Jean King. The university has faced backlash for its decision, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations among those condemning the cancellation of Tabassum’s speech. The valedictorian had hoped to inspire her classmates with a message of hope and is urging students to work towards a world where calls for equality and human dignity are not manipulated into expressions of hatred.
In response to the situation, USC released a statement explaining that university leadership will still speak at the commencement event, and hopes to award honorary degrees at a future event. The decision to cancel outside speakers and honorees was made in light of the publicized circumstances surrounding the main stage commencement program. Protests have taken place on and off college campuses across the US following recent violence in the Middle East, with USC becoming embroiled in the larger political and social implications of the conflict. The university expects the commencement event, which will celebrate over 19,000 graduates, to draw around 65,000 people to the campus in Los Angeles.
The controversy at USC highlights the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding issues of free speech, censorship, and political discourse on college campuses. The intersection of identity, politics, and social media has created a complex and fraught landscape that universities must navigate in order to uphold their values of diversity and inclusion. The decision to cancel outside speakers and honorees reflects the challenges faced by institutions trying to balance the concerns and sensitivities of diverse stakeholders, while also upholding principles of academic freedom and open dialogue. As USC moves forward with their commencement event, the fallout from this incident may continue to stir conversations about the boundaries of acceptable expression and the responsibilities institutions have in shaping public discourse.
