As the 2024 graduation season unfolds, a wave of student activism is sweeping across university campuses, transforming commencement ceremonies into platforms for protest and critique.

From coast to coast, students and commencement speakers are leveraging these traditionally celebratory events to voice their discontent with university policies, particularly those related to Israel's actions in Gaza. This burgeoning movement underscores a broader trend of increasing political engagement among students and highlights the evolving role of commencement speakers in shaping the discourse on campus.

One of the most striking aspects of this trend is the active involvement of commencement speakers in student activism. Speakers, typically invited to inspire and congratulate graduates, are now using their platform to challenge university administrations and express solidarity with various causes. Jodi-Ann Burey, a cancer survivor, prominent speaker, writer, and host of the podcast "Black Cancer," exemplified this shift in her recent address to graduating students at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health.

In her speech, Burey criticized university administrators for refusing to divest from companies that support Israel's war in Gaza, contrasting this with their actions in solidarity with Ukraine. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, sparking cheers and applause. Burey's message was clear: public health outcomes are intertwined with politics, and public health professionals need to advocate for justice and equity on a global scale.

READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, Defying Suspension Orders 

Students Rally Behind Speakers

Burey's address at the University of Michigan is just one example of students rallying behind commencement speakers who speak out against injustice. Mohammed Abdi, president of the Muslim Students in Public Health student organization, praised Burey's speech as a necessary response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He emphasized the significance of Burey's message in reminding students of their duty to protect all human lives, especially in public health.

This sentiment of support for commencement speakers extends beyond Michigan's campus. At the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, writers C Pam Zhang and Safiya U. Noble withdrew from their speaking engagements in protest of the university's treatment of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. In an open letter, Zhang and Noble cited the university's decision to deploy police officers to arrest protesters as a betrayal of their values. Their withdrawal, they hoped, would pressure USC administrators to address student concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Impact and Implications

The growing trend of student activism at graduation ceremonies raises essential questions about the role of universities in fostering free speech and political engagement. While some may view these protests and cancellations as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. Erin A. Hennessy, executive vice president of TVP Communications, noted that while speakers have the right to criticize the universities that invite them, institutions would prefer such comments be made on their platforms.

However, Angus Johnston, a history professor who studies student activism, argues that speakers who withdraw from commencement ceremonies are making a meaningful sacrifice to support the causes they believe in. He suggests that their actions should be taken seriously and not dismissed as capricious.

As universities grapple with these challenges, students and speakers alike are redefining the boundaries of political engagement on campus. The traditional role of commencement speakers as mere figureheads of celebration is evolving into one of advocacy and activism. This shift reflects a broader cultural moment in which young people are increasingly vocal about their beliefs and demanding accountability from institutions.

The 2024 graduation season is witnessing a transformation of commencement ceremonies into arenas of political discourse and activism. Students and commencement speakers are using these platforms to challenge university policies and express solidarity with various causes, particularly regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. While some may view these developments as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. As universities navigate these challenges, they must consider balancing free speech and political engagement while ensuring that graduation ceremonies remain meaningful and inclusive for all.

Commencement Speakers Join the Activism

One of the most striking aspects of this trend is the active involvement of commencement speakers in student activism. Speakers, typically invited to inspire and congratulate graduates, are now using their platform to challenge university administrations and express solidarity with various causes. Jodi-Ann Burey, a cancer survivor and prominent speaker, writer, and host of the podcast "Black Cancer," exemplified this shift in her recent address to graduating students at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health.

In her speech, Burey criticized university administrators for their refusal to divest from companies that support Israel's war in Gaza, contrasting it with their actions in solidarity with Ukraine. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, sparking cheers and applause. Burey's message was clear: public health outcomes are intertwined with politics, and it is essential for public health professionals to advocate for justice and equity on a global scale.

READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, Defying Suspension Orders 

Students Rally Behind Speakers

Burey's address at the University of Michigan is just one example of students rallying behind commencement speakers who speak out against injustice. Mohammed Abdi, president of the Muslim Students in Public Health student organization, praised Burey's speech as a necessary response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He emphasized the significance of Burey's message in reminding students of their duty to protect all human lives, especially in the field of public health.

This sentiment of support for commencement speakers extends beyond Michigan's campus. At the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, writers C Pam Zhang and Safiya U. Noble withdrew from their speaking engagements in protest of the university's treatment of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. In an open letter, Zhang and Noble cited the university's decision to deploy police officers to arrest protesters as a betrayal of their values. Their withdrawal, they hoped, would pressure USC administrators to address student concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Impact and Implications

The growing trend of student activism at graduation ceremonies raises important questions about the role of universities in fostering free speech and political engagement. While some may view these protests and cancellations as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. Erin A. Hennessy, executive vice president of TVP Communications, noted that while speakers have the right to criticize the universities that invite them, institutions would prefer such comments be made on their own platforms.

However, Angus Johnston, a history professor who studies student activism, argues that speakers who withdraw from commencement ceremonies are making a meaningful sacrifice to support causes they believe in. He suggests that their actions should be taken seriously and not dismissed as capricious.

As universities grapple with these challenges, students and speakers alike are redefining the boundaries of political engagement on campus. The traditional role of commencement speakers as mere figureheads of celebration is evolving into one of advocacy and activism. This shift reflects a broader cultural moment where young people are increasingly vocal about their beliefs and are demanding accountability from institutions.

The 2024 graduation season is witnessing a transformation of commencement ceremonies into arenas of political discourse and activism. Students and commencement speakers are using these platforms to challenge university policies and express solidarity with various causes, particularly regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. While some may view these developments as disruptive, others see them as a vital expression of democratic values. As universities navigate these challenges, they must consider how to balance free speech and political engagement while ensuring that graduation ceremonies remain meaningful and inclusive for all.

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