USC under fire for canceling valedictorian speech
Citing safety concerns, the university canceled a pro-Palestinian student's speech


What happened
The University of Southern California is facing intense criticism after canceling a planned graduation speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum, citing unspecified "substantial risks relating to security and disruption."
Who said what
The "alarming tenor" of discussion about USC's valedictorian, on social media and from "many voices outside of USC," has escalated the risk of "harassment and even violence" at commencement, similar to events "at other campuses," Provost Andrew Guzman said. Canceling her speech is about "campus security and safety, period." USC "has betrayed me and caved into a campaign of hatred," Tabassum, who is Muslim, said to the Los Angeles Times. Tabassum "publicly propagates antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric" through a link on her Instagram page, campus group Trojans for Israel claimed April 11.
The commentary
USC is giving in to "dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna" and "cannot hide its cowardly decision behind a disingenuous concern for 'security,'" said Hussam Ayloush at the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
USC's commencement is May 10. It's not clear if Tabassum will participate.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Evita: 'TikTok musical theatre' or 'total triumph'?
Talking Point Rachel Zegler dazzles in Jamie Lloyd's 'radically reconceived' revival – but the plot is difficult to follow
-
Netflix and the second screen phenomenon
In The Spotlight Programme makers claim they're being asked to cater for distracted viewers
-
How will Labour pay for welfare U-turn?
Today's Big Question A dramatic concession to Labour rebels has left the government facing more fiscal dilemmas
-
Education: America First vs. foreign students
Feature Trump's war on Harvard escalates as he blocks foreign students from enrolling at the university
-
Where will international students go if not the US?
Talking Points China, Canada and the UK are ready to educate the world
-
Colleges are canceling affinity graduations amid DEI attacks but students are pressing on
In the Spotlight The commencement at Harvard University was in the news, but other colleges are also taking action
-
Can Trump ban overseas students from US universities?
Today's Big Question President's decision to revoke Harvard's access to database for admitting international students 'drastically escalates' the dispute
-
Education: Can public schools be religious?
Feature A Supreme Court seems ready to rule in favor of religious charter schools in Oklahoma, which could reshape public education
-
Supreme Court may bless church-run charter schools
Speed Read The case is 'one of the biggest on church and state in a generation'
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
-
Harvard loses $2.3B after rejecting Trump demands
speed read The university denied the Trump administration's request for oversight and internal policy changes