Unprecedented: USC’s Antisemitic Valedictorian Banned from Delivering Speech

Is the tide turning on college campuses? Are college officials ready to turn around the antisemitic behavior of student activists? Or is it only a college campus safety concern?

USC’s valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a Muslim, was selected as this year’s valedictorian but questions began to arise over her suitability when she publicly raised questions about the Israel-Hamas war. The links she posted on social media allegedly promoted antisemitism. 

Tabassum has been banned from delivering her speech during the commencement ceremony as a part of the undergraduate speaker lineup. This is an unprecedented move by the university. “Tradition must give way to safety.” Now it is being said that USC failed to confront her comments head-on.

Letters were sent by critics of Tabassum to USC administrators. They accuse her of posting on social media links that are “pro-Palestinian views and ‘likes’ expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings.”

How convenient. It’s all fun and games until someone calls you on your antisemitism. Her Instagram bio includes a landing page that says ‘learn about what’s happening in Palestine, and how to help.’  

‘Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link’s calls for ‘the complete abolishment of the state of Israel (sic),’ according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators. 

‘As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum’s link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to ‘reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a . . . Jewish state.’

Tabassum is a biomedical engineering major and has a minor in resistance to genocide. I had to read that minor a couple of times. “Resistance to genocide?” Ugh. She applied to be a speaker, along with 100 other student applicants with GPAs of 3.98 or higher. She was chosen. Nearly 65,000 people are expected at the ceremony. 

The university is said to be side-stepping the issue and calling it a safety issue. 

‘While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,’ Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter to the university community. 

‘This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.

‘It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian. 

‘To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free- speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.’

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Los Angeles has demanded she be permitted to speak at the graduation ceremony. Tabassum suggested she was being silenced and the university “abandoned her.” 

‘Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,’ Tabassum began in a statement.

‘This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has accomplished its goal: today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns. 

‘I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,’ she went on.

‘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.’

CAIR-LA called the decision “cowardly”: and of using ‘disingenuous’ reasoning.

‘Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year’s valedictorian’s honor,’ Ayloush said in a statement. 

Missing from all this kerfuffle is the consideration for the university’s Jewish students. Is a Muslim student who uses Hamas propaganda on social media a good choice to be honored as an exemplary student? Not in today’s highly-charged atmosphere. Her freedoms are no fewer or no more than those of the Jewish students. 

It’s past time for colleges to stand up for all students instead of being cowed by antisemitic activists.