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.
Seeing as most of the world has never recognized Palestine as a country, I don’t think you’re using the words “100% factual” correctly.Edit: Wow, looks like I had some very outdated info, Palestine was recognized by the UN in 2012. Somehow I completely missed that. I was dead wrong.
Countries that have recognized are in green: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_the_State_of_Palestine#/media/File:Palestine_recognition_only.svg
Counterpoint:
I mean they’re still correct, there is only the United States. No other countries exist, it’s a conspiracy by Big Country to sell you more customs charges!
I appreciate your update. Learning and growth are beautiful things. Your post and the correction also helped me.
It should be noted that the countries that have recognised the State of Palestine do so with the borders divided up - they also recognise Israel. As such this implicitly considers Israel’s territory to be its own and not some occupied/settler position.
Granted, Israel is still invading and settling all throughout Palestine’s recognised territory, breaking international law, but what some people consider as land taken by settlers and what these countries think are often two different things.