The University of Southern California has removed filmmaker Jon M. Chu from its commencement ceremony schedule following the controversial exclusion of valedictorian Asna Tabassum, sparking debates over free speech and safety.
The University of Southern California (USC) has decided to cancel filmmaker Jon M. Chu’s keynote speech at their upcoming commencement ceremony amid controversy following the cancellation of a speech by student valedictorian Asna Tabassum. The university cited unspecified safety concerns for initially disallowing Tabassum, a Muslim student supportive of Palestinians, from speaking. This incident has led to widespread reactions, with pro-Israel groups supporting the decision, while free speech advocates and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have criticized it.
In light of these events, USC has opted to reorganize the entire commencement setup, excluding external speakers and honorees, prompting concerns about the ceremony’s format and execution. The disruption has affected thousands of attendees, including graduates and their families. Amid these developments, tensions remain high as Tabassum publicly criticized the backlash against her due to her political beliefs, highlighting difficulties in balancing community safety with freedom of speech.
