By John Q. Hosedrinker As a recent graduate myself, I can’t help but be disappointed by the recent news surrounding USC’s commencement ceremony. The decision to cancel all commencement speakers after the valedictorian’s speech was canceled is one of the most perplexing acts of damage control I have ever witnessed. It seems like a knee-jerk reaction that only serves to exacerbate the controversy.
The fact that USC took such drastic measures without citing any actual threats or security concerns is concerning. It raises questions about their commitment to free speech and academic freedom. The original valedictorian speech was reportedly canceled because the university didn’t want her to address certain issues, which is troubling in a place of higher learning that should foster open dialogue and diverse perspectives.
It’s disappointing to see a top-ranked university handle a situation like this so poorly. It seems counterintuitive to cancel all commencement speakers, including prominent figures like Jon M. Chu and Billie Jean King, just to avoid potential controversy. The focus should be on celebrating the achievements of the graduates, not on silencing voices or avoiding uncomfortable topics.
As someone who has sat through my fair share of graduation ceremonies, I can understand the sentiment of wanting to shorten the event. However, canceling speeches altogether seems like a missed opportunity. Commencement speeches, while often forgettable, can sometimes be a source of inspiration and motivation for graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
The handling of this situation reflects poorly on USC and its commitment to upholding the values of free speech and academic freedom. It’s a reminder that institutions of higher education should be places where diverse perspectives are welcomed and encouraged, not silenced or censored. Hopefully, USC will learn from this incident and take steps to ensure that future graduates have the opportunity to hear a variety of voices and opinions at their commencement ceremonies. As a recent graduate myself, I can’t help but be disappointed by the recent news surrounding USC’s commencement ceremony. The decision to cancel all commencement speakers after the valedictorian’s speech was canceled is one of the most perplexing acts of damage control I have ever witnessed. It seems like a knee-jerk reaction that only serves to exacerbate the controversy.
The fact that USC took such drastic measures without citing any actual threats or security concerns is concerning. It raises questions about their commitment to free speech and academic freedom. The original valedictorian speech was reportedly canceled because the university didn’t want her to address certain issues, which is troubling in a place of higher learning that should foster open dialogue and diverse perspectives.
It’s disappointing to see a top-ranked university handle a situation like this so poorly. It seems counterintuitive to cancel all commencement speakers, including prominent figures like Jon M. Chu and Billie Jean King, just to avoid potential controversy. The focus should be on celebrating the achievements of the graduates, not on silencing voices or avoiding uncomfortable topics.
As someone who has sat through my fair share of graduation ceremonies, I can understand the sentiment of wanting to shorten the event. However, canceling speeches altogether seems like a missed opportunity. Commencement speeches, while often forgettable, can sometimes be a source of inspiration and motivation for graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
The handling of this situation reflects poorly on USC and its commitment to upholding the values of free speech and academic freedom. It’s a reminder that institutions of higher education should be places where diverse perspectives are welcomed and encouraged, not silenced or censored. Hopefully, USC will learn from this incident and take steps to ensure that future graduates have the opportunity to hear a variety of voices and opinions at their commencement ceremonies.