Graduation Speeches Become Platforms For Palestine Advocacy Amid University Tensions
Across The Nation, University Graduation Ceremonies Have Become Focal Points For Student advocacy, Particularly Concerning The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. As Students Deliver Commencement Speeches, Many Are Using Their Platforms To Voice Concerns Over Israel’s Actions In gaza And Criticize Their Universities’ Responses To On-Campus Protests. The Intersection Of Academic Freedom And Institutional Policies Is Being sharply Debated As These Events Unfold.
Mit Student Barred After Pro-Palestine Speech
Megha Vemuri, The Indian American Class President At The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (Mit), Faced Repercussions After Delivering A Commencement Speech That Addressed The Issue. Vemuri, Who Wore A Keffiyeh, A conventional Middle Eastern Headdress, During Her Speech, Criticized Mit’s Research Ties With Israeli Forces And Affirmed That Students Would Never Support A Genocide. She Also Praised Students For Their Continued Protests Against What she Described As “Threats, Intimidation, And Suppression” From University Officials. consequently, She Was Barred From Attending her Graduation ceremony.
Her Speech Highlighted Mit’s Connections To The Israeli Military, Stating That Such Ties Implicate The University In The Ongoing Conflict.She urged her Fellow Graduates To Advocate For An Arms Embargo And For Mit To sever Its Ties With israel.
Harvard Faculty And Students Unite
Meanwhile, At Harvard University, Faculty Members Joined Students In Calls For An End To The War In Gaza.Andrew Manuel Crespo, A Professor Of Law, Addressed The 2025 Harvard Law School Graduating Class, Commending Them For Standing Up Against Governmental Pressure On universities.
Crespo Criticized What He Described As Government Attempts To Suppress Academic Freedom, Citing Actions That Have Threatened research Funding And Intimidated International Students. He Said That There Was Pressure To Conform To Certain Narratives On Issues Ranging From Climate Change To Racial Inequality. According To Crespo, Courage Was Essential in The Face Of Authoritarianism.
Harvard’s Response Under Scrutiny
Crespo Further Criticized Harvard’s response To The Pro-Palestine Protests On Campus. Despite Praising The university For Defending Academic Independence, He Argued That Harvard Had Sometimes Failed To Protect The Academic Freedoms Of Its Students And Faculty, Particularly Regarding Protests And Scholarship Related To The Middle East. He Mentioned The Denial Of Degrees To Protesters, The Suspension Of Students, And The Firing Of Faculty Directors At The Center for Middle Eastern Studies As Instances Where The University’s Actions Fell Short.
Crespo Received The 2025 Albert M.Sacks-Paul A. Freund Award For Teaching Excellence At Harvard. His Speech Was Delivered To The Graduating Class Of Harvard Law School.
Harvard divinity school Graduate Speaks Out
Zehra Imam, A New Graduate Of The Harvard Divinity School And A Muslim Associate Chaplain At Mit, Also Addressed The Issue In Her Commencement Address. Wearing A Keffiyeh And Holding A Palestinian Flag,Imam Expressed Support For Palestine And Called For Courage From Both Students And University Administrations.
Imam Highlighted The Experiences Of Palestinian Students at Harvard, Noting The Disappearance Of Courses And Programs Related to Israel-Palestine. She Also Shared Her Conversations With Students In Gaza, Describing Their Dire Situation.
Imam Co-Wrote Her Speech With Two Other Students, One Christian And One Jewish, Emphasizing Solidarity And Community In A Divided World. She Also Shared That She Felt She Was In Touch With The Anne Franks Of Our Time, But We Can still change The Ending.
did You Know? A Keffiyeh Is A Traditional Middle Eastern Headdress That Has Become A Symbol Of palestinian Solidarity.
Comparing University Responses
The Responses Of Universities To Student Protests have Varied.While Mit barred megha Vemuri From Attending Her Graduation Ceremony, Harvard Allowed Zehra Imam To Deliver Her Speech Without Incident.Nyu, However, Reportedly Withheld The Diploma Of A Student Who Spoke Out During His graduation Address.
| University | Action Taken | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mit | Barred Student From Graduation Ceremony | Pro-Palestine Speech |
| Harvard | None Reported | Student Delivered Pro-Palestine Speech |
| Nyu | Withheld Diploma | Student Spoke Out During Graduation |
Pro Tip: University Policies On Free Speech And Protest Vary Significantly. Students Should Be Aware Of Their Rights And Responsibilities.
The Actions Taken By These Universities Highlight the Ongoing Debate Surrounding Free Speech, Academic Freedom, And The Responsibilities Of Educational Institutions In Addressing Sensitive Political Issues. As Student Activism Continues To Grow, These Debates Are Likely To Intensify, Further Shaping The Landscape Of Higher Education.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Balance Between Free Speech And University Policies? how should Universities Address Student Activism On divisive Issues?
The Evolution Of Student Activism
Student Activism Has Played A Significant Role In shaping Social And Political Discourse Throughout History. From The Civil Rights Movement to Anti-War Protests, Students Have Often Been At The Forefront Of Demanding Change And Challenging Established Norms. Today’s Pro-Palestine Movement Is Part Of This Legacy, Reflecting A Growing Awareness Of Global issues And A Desire To advocate For Human Rights.
The Current Wave Of Student Activism Differs From Past Movements In Several Ways. The Rise Of Social Media Has Enabled Students To Organize And Mobilize More Quickly And Effectively, While Also Amplifying Their voices On A Global Scale.Additionally,The issues Students Are Addressing are Increasingly Complex And Interconnected,Requiring A Nuanced Understanding Of Global Politics,Economics,And Social Justice.
The Role Of Universities In Supporting Or Constraining Student Activism Is Also Evolving. while Some Universities Have Embraced Student Activism As A Form of Civic Engagement, Others Have Implemented Policies Aimed At Restricting Protests And Demonstrations. This Tension Between Academic Freedom and Institutional Control is highly likely To Continue Shaping The Landscape Of Student Activism In The Years To Come.
Frequently Asked Questions About University Protests And Palestine Advocacy
Share Your Thoughts: What Role Should Universities Play In Addressing Student activism On Politically Charged Issues? Leave A Comment Below.
