USC Cancels Speech by Pro-Palestinian Valedictorian Asna Tabassum
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Published 2024-04-18
Amid widespread repression of pro-Palestinian voices on campuses across the United States, we speak to University of Southern California valedictorian Asna Tabassum, whose commencement speech has been canceled for what the university claimed were "safety" reasons after Tabassum became the subject of an online anti-Palestinian hate campaign led by pro-Israel groups. "When I had asked for details regarding the security concerns," says Tabassum of learning about the cancellation, "I was offered no information and was told it was not appropriate for me to know." Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian American Muslim graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, says the unprecedented cancellation of her speech has been "heartbreaking."
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All Comments (21)
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She is brave to come forward. More people have heard her stance now on Palestine compared to if she was just allowed to speak at the graduation ceremony. Keep speaking out Asna.
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Asna should write her speech and present it on social media. It may not be the same as giving it at graduation, but her message will be heard.
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This woman ended up with a much bigger platform thanks to this decision. She’s going to do amazing things for the world, too. That’s so clear from what she has to say.
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She’s very well-spoken. I can see why she was selected to be valedictorian.
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I hope everyone gives this girl a platform to make that speech.
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No apartheid has a right to exist, period.
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Asna a is very intillegent and deserving to be valedictorian and have right to her valedictorian speech
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I don't have heroes , anymore , but , if I did, this young woman would be one. I support her, fully.💯
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What a world we live in now. Wow. Such an eloquent young woman who is now being deprived of what's she's earned.
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I believe USC made a horrible decision to cancel the class 2024 valedictorian speech. USC has lost its morality. Their rationale for canceling her speech seem bogus. Students must protest against this oppression of its fellow student.
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What a well spoken and intelligent individual. USC (and the LAPD) should be ashamed.
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What an impressive and intelligent young woman - the world needs more of those like her.
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I am not Muslim. I am not Jewish. I am not Christian. Give Asna her speech.
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She is bright, articulate and empathetic. She is the embodiment of what the world’s leadership should be trying to emulate.
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Her smile is infectious. She is bright and intelligent and has earned her right to speak. Shame on USC.
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Usc Zionists try silencing her voice just amplified it a thousand fold
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Defund Ïsræl. Normalize co-operatives and lⒶbour unions. Workers make the world run, workers should run the world.🍞🌹🏳️🌈
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Let them have her speech. The best student has to speak up She’s literally the best type of student. Cares about people and has top grades, let her speak up It would be worse if it was someone who is graduating college at a young age
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God bless this young woman!!! People like her will change the world, and give it it's humanity back.
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SHAME on USC. What a joke university.
