this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024

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462

'My school abandoned me': California university cancels pro-Palestinian student's commencement speech (www.middleeasteye.net)

submitted 1 year ago by Linkerbaan@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

139 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The University of Southern California has cancelled a scheduled commencement speech by Asna Tabassum, citing unnamed security concerns after her selection as valedictorian was met with a wave of online attacks directed at her pro-Palestinian views.

"I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university - my home for four years - has abandoned me," Tabassum said in a statement shared online.

On 6 April, USC announced that Tabassum was selected as valedictorian, a student with the highest academic achievements in her year, for the graduating class of 2024.

After the announcement was published on social media, Tabassum began receiving online attacks from an account named, "We Are Tov", a group that describes itself as "dedicated to combating antisemitism".

The university released a statement on Monday, saying that Tabassum would retain her position as valedictorian, but would not be allowed to give her commencement speech. The school said that the move was made to maintain safety on campus.

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[–] GrymEdm@lemmy.world 130 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I really, really hate that it feels like there's a new ethnicity it's ok to distrust/suppress/wish harm upon. The article talks about official efforts to ban Pro-Palestinian voices, including (ironically) Jewish Voice for Peace. I am so much happier on Lemmy because there are far fewer posts with opinions like "Palestinians are only getting what they deserve because of Hamas" etc. Even though people have disagreed with me (albeit not often) I have yet to debate anyone making those kinds of arguments.

I'm frustrated waiting for the rest of the world to catch up and realize that there's no "ok race" to assume is some brand of evil. There's no ethnicity that it's bad to advocate freedom, happiness, and healthiness for. E.g. even though I post a lot about Israel, I take time frequently to make it absolutely clear that I know Israel doesn't represent all Jews and that judging based on ethnicity or birthplace/residence is wrong.

[–] alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 73 points 1 year ago (13 children)

Dude, I fully agree.

My eyes have really been opened.

Anti-muslim sentiment has been going on for a really long time. I thought it was just a few racist uncles who overreacted to 9/11.

But now that the propaganda and suppression is in full swing, it's become abundantly clear. It's not just normal people, it's a coordinated disinformation campaign.

Lemmy is still a relatively safe and reasonable space.

[–] Psychodelic@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican, anti-gay/trans, anti-atheist, anti-women, anti-etc.

I'm glad people like you've noticed. It's been going on for a long time and it legit makes you feel crazy when you realize it and it still doesn't help when you realize scholars have been studying and writing about this stuff for hundreds of years.

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[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Unfortunately you can find similar arguments in some corners of Lemmy regarding violence against Israeli civilians. So I’m not sure how much better it truly is here.

This conflict has caused a disturbing number of people to suddenly think that hate, abuse, or even murder and kidnapping are acceptable when directed at people they associate with the appropriate ethnic, racial, or national group.

[–] GrymEdm@lemmy.world 35 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (25 children)

When it happens I just try to remind folks that while it's ethical to oppose many Israeli policies, there are tons of Jewish dissenters who are allies. Basically every time people will agree. One of my most powerful examples is Breaking the Silence, an organization that gathers, confirms, and publishes testimonials from IDF veterans about the reality of life in Occupied Palestinian Territory. 100% Jewish, and Jewish soldiers no less, and still 100% dedicated to making sure the truth is known no matter the cost.

[–] Oofnik@kbin.earth 32 points 1 year ago (4 children)

There are many of us (I'm in Israel and involved in anti-war and anti-genocide activism). And most of us lost people on October 7th, some of whom were peace activists (look up Vivian Silver, for example). Since then we have also lost Palestinian friends and partners in activism in the ethnic cleansing campaign currently going on in Gaza.

It is true that we are a minority, but it is so hard facing discrimination from both sides - I have a pro-Palestine sticker on my computer, but it is in Hebrew. So when I'm in Israel, I get harassed about it. When I'm not in Israel, anti-semites who can't read it assume it's something pro-israel (or just Jewish).
It feels very lonely sometimes, so thanks very much, @GrymEdm.

[–] GrymEdm@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I have an American Jewish friend who, long story short, has been treated very badly by her Ashkenazi family since deciding to support Palestinian human rights. I've seen what it costs Jews to speak up, and so I have a lot of respect for dissenters who act with their conscience in spite of the target it puts on their backs. It's a difficult spot to be in, and I hope you can find some peace and reward in staying true to your ethics even in hard times.

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[–] NoIWontPickAName@kbin.earth 12 points 1 year ago

You fuckers have balls of steel.

Even if you’re a female, you still have balls of steel, And my utmost respect.

It cannot be easy at all to try to stand up for something like that it Israel of all places.

[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 11 points 1 year ago

Thanks for doing what you do. Most people have never tried taking a moral stand on something so controversial in their own community, so they may not know how difficult it truly is.

I am lucky enough to exist in a very pro-peace bubble, so I don’t face such consequences. But I have incredible respect for those who do so despite their circumstances. And it is people like you who have the greatest opportunity to change the course of things.

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[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good advice. Sometimes it’s hard to keep my frustration from overwhelming me when I see people saying such hateful things but it always helps to understand where people are coming from and respectfully point to the things that may challenge the foundation of that hate.

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[–] Passerby6497@lemmy.world 59 points 1 year ago

After the announcement was published on social media, Tabassum began receiving online attacks from an account named, “We Are Tov”, a group that describes itself as “dedicated to combating antisemitism”.

Tabassum would retain her position as valedictorian, but would not be allowed to give her commencement speech. The school said that the move was made to maintain safety on campus

Letting the terrorists win.

[–] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 46 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am surprised that my own university - my home for four years - has abandoned me

Okay, but you know you're dead to them the moment your last cheque clears though. Until it is alumni bothering season.

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[–] ghostdoggtv@lemmy.world 45 points 1 year ago

Israeli terrorists win

[–] nondescripthandle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 44 points 1 year ago (21 children)

Imagine having such a moral army that agents of your government push to stop a woman who graduated with a minor in preventing genocide from speaking publicly.

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[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk 33 points 1 year ago

Some of these pro-Israel groups really need to read up on the boy who cried wolf.

[–] bartolomeo@suppo.fi 21 points 1 year ago

Nobody does free speech like the Israel lobby.

[–] badbytes@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Her existence is a problem for the school, so they take away her speech. How convenient.

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[–] iopq@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The website Tabassum linked to in her Instagram bio — her actual posts are private — is an explainer on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that calls Zionism “a racist settler-colonial ideology.” It defines Palestine as a country in the Middle East that “is being occupied by the state of Israel, a Jewish ethnostate established by Zionists in 1948.”

https://jweekly.com/2024/04/16/usc-cancels-commencement-speech-from-muslim-valedictorian-after-she-shared-link-to-anti-israel-website/

I found this searching why someone might think she is anti-Semitic

[–] Linkerbaan@lemmy.world 43 points 1 year ago (7 children)

Everything stated there is 100% factual what is anti-Semitic about it?

[–] Aceticon@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago

Zionism teach us all that Reality is anti-semitic.

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[–] capem@startrek.website 8 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the money!

[–] UnpluggedFridge@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I will not use this comment to weigh in on the fairness of the University's decision, I am just going to make the point that USC is a private university and is not held to the same free speech standards as the University of California school system.

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[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

"Selected" as the student with the highest GPA? I don't understand.

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 1 year ago

Hey, the university has an entire department to carefully figure out what the highest number is on a list and put that person in a strongly congratulatory e-mail. Spare no expense!

[–] Dinsmore@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

I don't know USC's protocols per se, but I imagine there's actually a pretty decent list of people who all have 4.0s in a university that size. Unless you're going to have hundreds of "valedictorian" speeches, there needs to be some sort of selection process.

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