“My moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time, and to a group this large, is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine.”
What struck home for me was “to a group this large”….
…He didn’t seek out that moment, his voice with trembling with nerves, but he recognized the imperative of using that brief, public platform to speak to power without regard for his own welfare or safety. That is real courage.
It should be illegal, as in we should have the right to sue, when you PAY FOR THE DIPLOMA AND DO ALL THE WORK THEY CANNOT BACK OUT! THAT'S FRAUD!! NYU and Columbia are SHITHOLES
I think they meant that he didn’t also condemn the Oct 7 terrorist attack on Israel. If I’d been him, I hope I would’ve condemned that as well as Israel’s current atrocities. >>But he has a right to express his opinion, & his diploma should not be withheld because he was brave enough to do so!<<<
May his courage to lend moral and rhetorical clarity to this horrific war be contagious. He did nothing wrong and everything right. Speaking out against war is always right, and always moral. A righteous man.
I've contacted him and would love to find out more, and his reaction to NYU's statement, and am going to look into if any extremist groups had a role in pressuring NYU. Stay tuned.
It took a lot of courage to defy the university's condition that he not speak of human rights. The audience was with him. It's encouraging to see this generation gets it.
That seems to be the whole part which got the student in trouble... but I think this clip may be the full speech. It shows nearly a minute of hello etc. leading up to the "controversial" part.
They must do the valedictorian before the conferral then.
What a bunch of dweebs. Stable door, horse, bolted.
Usually the only way to cancel a degree is if the graduate has brought the university into disrepute.
I think this shows their students are of a very high calibre.
I was impressed at the amount of enthusiastic cheering, even more so because I didn't hear a single evident "boo".
The specific "disrepute" I imagine NYU was scared about in this case, is that trump would turn his malevolent attention in the university's direction and declare them disreputable.
If we cannot condemn what has been and is being done to Gaza and its people, how can we think of ourselves as moral? Collective punishment for wrongdoing is NEVER justified, as it affects the innocent as much as the guilty.
Wild to see the difference in reaction between the ladies and gents in the audience. Young women are going to save this world if old men don't destroy it first.
Legally, I think it's a little unclear. From my brief reading on this, NYU is withholding his diploma because he lied about what his speech was going to be. Transparent bullshit, IMO, but maybe not a total slam dunk.
This is the epitome of bravery and integrity. This student is (rightfully) afraid. They have put their life, or at least their comfort, on the line to make a statement and draw attention to what they believe in. I wish them nothing but the flowers they deserve. 💐
I can tell you that anyone in the front row at a grad will be very high-ranking. Probably a Deputy VC, or exec of the Academic Board. Could be the Dean of Faculty.
And yet had the courage to speak out and be heard. May all of us find that same courage when it is our turn to decide whether to speak up or stay silent.
Talk about the “Ivory Tower”; at the commencement ceremony I attended (a school of nursing) not a mention from anyone about the dire state of health research, Medicare, &c. Just the usual bromides.
Comments
“My moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time, and to a group this large, is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine.”
What struck home for me was “to a group this large”….
"One sided"? -- he specifically addressed both.
He's addressing those of good conscious.
So who else exists outside of "good conscous"?
Way to tell on yourself, John Beckman?
It is an absolute utter disgrace that NYU would do anything other than praise him for it.
Shame on them, shame on them.
Attempting to censor and persecute those who speak truth.
Keep it real… They can’t have it both ways!
Plus the freedom of speech is a constitutional right.
Law suit!
What a bunch of dweebs. Stable door, horse, bolted.
Usually the only way to cancel a degree is if the graduate has brought the university into disrepute.
I think this shows their students are of a very high calibre.
The specific "disrepute" I imagine NYU was scared about in this case, is that trump would turn his malevolent attention in the university's direction and declare them disreputable.
Such a contrast to the horrid, morally broken, boot licking cowards we have leading American institutions.