If you want to do well in life, some people say it’s best to avoid talking about Palestine. Or if you have to say something, make sure it’s not too strong, like saying no Palestinian over four is innocent and they should all starve. It’s also better not to use words like “genocide” or “occupation,” even though they’re true according to international law. Instead of seeing Palestinians as people, some suggest thinking of them as “human animals,” like Israel’s defense minister does, to avoid trouble.
Recently, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian American Muslim near Los Angeles, faced consequences for speaking out. She was set to give a speech as valedictorian at her graduation from the University of Southern California. But suddenly, the university canceled her speech. Instead of celebrating her achievements, she got caught in a debate about free speech, Palestine, and “cancel culture.”
The university didn’t directly mention Palestine or Israel when they canceled her speech. They cited safety concerns instead. It’s unclear if they meant her safety or other students’. However, it seems like pro-Israel groups found Tabassum’s social media posts sympathetic to Palestine. Instead of supporting her, the university canceled her speech to avoid controversy.
Tabassum had shared a link on her Instagram five years ago about Palestine. The post criticized Zionism and argued for one state for both Arabs and Jews. While it’s okay to debate these views, canceling her speech over “safety” seems unfair.
If Tabassum had supported Israel, her speech probably wouldn’t have been canceled. This double standard is concerning. Tabassum feels like the university abandoned her, especially since she’s a student studying genocide resistance.
Speaking up for Palestine has become risky lately. People can lose their jobs or get labeled as extremists. Meanwhile, those who support Israel can say terrible things about Palestinians without consequences. This imbalance needs to change.
Suppressing pro-Palestinian voices is wrong. Everyone should be able to express their opinions without fear. Ignoring this issue is dangerous, especially when discussing campus safety. Gaza’s campuses aren’t safe because of Israeli attacks. It’s essential to talk about this when discussing campus safety.
[original text by the Guardian]
