The University of Southern California has made the controversial decision to cancel the graduation speech of this year’s valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim. The school cited security concerns stemming from threatening emails and electronic communications targeting Ms. Tabassum.
The university’s provost, Andrew T. Guzman, stated that the decision was made in response to escalating tensions fueled by social media and the conflict in the Middle East. The decision has sparked outrage, with Ms. Tabassum expressing shock and disappointment at the university’s actions.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the cancellation as “cowardly” and called for USC to reverse its decision. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over free speech on college campuses, particularly in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Security officials at USC confirmed that the decision was based on specific threats to disrupt the commencement ceremonies. It remains unclear whether Ms. Tabassum will be allowed to participate in the ceremonies in any capacity.
Ms. Tabassum, a biomedical engineering major, was selected as the valedictorian for her academic achievements and volunteer work. However, campus groups raised concerns about her social media posts supporting Palestinians, leading to calls for the university to reconsider her selection.
Legal experts suggest that Ms. Tabassum may have grounds to sue the university for infringing on her First Amendment rights. The controversy surrounding her speech mirrors a similar incident at the City University of New York School of Law, where a student’s remarks led to the suspension of the tradition of student-selected commencement speakers.
The decision to cancel Ms. Tabassum’s speech has sparked a larger conversation about free speech and censorship on college campuses, as universities grapple with balancing security concerns and the protection of students’ rights to express their views.
