from University of Southern California
Asna Tabassum will not give a speech at the graduation ceremony in May.
CNN
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What was supposed to be a moment of celebration for Asna Tabassum, the University of Southern California's 2024 valedictorian, ended in disappointment after the university denied her the opportunity to speak at the commencement ceremony, citing safety concerns. It has changed.
“Over the past several days, the debate surrounding the selection of valedictorians has gained alarming momentum,” University of Southern California President Andrew Guzman said in an online letter to the entire university. “The intensity of emotion, fueled both by social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to involve many voices outside the University of Southern California, raising the grave risks associated with security and disruption at the outset.” It has escalated to the point where it is being produced.”
Tabassum, a “first generation South Asian American Muslim,” was scheduled to speak at the May 10 commencement ceremony, according to a statement released through the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles.
“I am shocked by this decision and extremely disappointed that the university would succumb to a campaign of hate aimed at silencing my voice,” Tabassum said in an online statement. “I'm not surprised by people trying to spread hate. I'm surprised that my university, where I spent four years, has abandoned me.”
As tensions rise in the Middle East, with a deadly war in Gaza creating a dire humanitarian crisis, supporters of Israel and Hamas online and in the streets support a ceasefire, many of whom support it. It is causing anxiety all over the world.
Changes to the University of Southern California's graduation program only affect student speech plans, Lauren Bartlett, the university's vice president for strategic and crisis communications, told CNN.
Bartlett declined to say what safety concerns led to the school's decision, saying, “In the interest of safety and security, we do not disclose specific threats regarding the assessment.”
“I have serious questions about whether the University of Southern California's decision to rescind my invitation to speak was made solely for safety reasons,” Tabassum said in an online statement.
The allegations state that he is “not aware of any specific threats against me or the University, that my request for details on which to base the University's threat assessment was denied, and that I was not provided with additional security to speak on the University.” “It still remains,'' Tabassum said.
Asked if Tabassum would still be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies and what safety measures are being taken to ensure her safety, Bartlett said she did not have that information. said. Tabassum, a native of Chino Hills, Calif., studied biomedical engineering with a focus on genocide resistance and global health equity from minors.
Hassam Ailush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles, said instead of canceling Tabassum's lecture, the university should take further steps to ensure a safe graduation environment.
“Even though USC has maintained Asuna's status as valedictorian, the cowardly decision to cancel her speech amplifies voices of hatred and censorship, violates USC's obligation to protect students, “It sends a terrible signal both to USC's Muslim students and to all students who dare to express their support for Palestinian humanity,” Ailush said in an online statement.
Bartlett also had no information whether the school was considering sharing Tabassum's speech before or after graduation, she said.
“Let me be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech,” Governor Guzmán said. “There is no free speech right to speak at commencement ceremonies. The question here is how best to maintain campus security and safety.”
“While this is unfortunate, tradition must be given in the interest of safety,” he said.
