Graduation curse?

[parentologist]

I wonder how many are here on student visas, which may not be renewed.

[blossom]

It will be known eventually. I am not a conspiracy theorist (in any way, shape or form). But I find the “Gays for Palestine” flags and the “Feminists for Palestine” and the professionally rendered Hamas signs and the Hezbollah banners a little suspicious. First of all, because most of the gay people I know understand that they’d be thrown in jail (or off a roof) if anyone in authority found out they were gay in Gaza. And I’ve been to the Pride parade in Jerusalem where Palestinians (as well as Israeli Arabs- who are full citizens) march with – well- pride.

But as the identities of the “non-students at student protests” are revealed, we may learn more about Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations agitating and finding “useful idiots” on campuses.

[bearcatfan]

Just came back from East Lansing, where students (?) have set up a tent city on Michigan State’s campus. After much dithering, the school’s board of trustees allowed them to stay even though tents are expressly forbidden and they hadn’t gotten a required permit. They are allowed to stay through Sunday - basically, graduation weekend.

I have not heard of any disruptions of commencement today, but there are college-level ceremonies all weekend. The spot where they are is pretty far away from the venues hosting the ceremonies. We will see if they leave Monday morning.

Maybe it was a de-escalation effort based on what’s happening elsewhere. But the parents FB group was HOT about it.

[tdy123]

@vpa2019

Peaceful isn’t the only criteria. Criminal trespass is a problem. Failure to follow college rules and policies regarding protests is a problem. Threats, harassment and intimidation are all problems.

I don’t think the administrations would be as lenient if the protestors were wearing KKK gear, demanding that the south be free from Yankees and people of color “from sea to sea” and threatening death to the Yankee occupiers and settler colonialists AKA carpet baggers.

[Corinthian]

John McWhorter made a similar point in his NYT opinion piece. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/23/opinion/columbia-protests-israel.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nU0.Q7tf.r7NpCVquLaTh&smid=url-share

[Iglooo]

@threeofthree

I’ve seen a lot of news with students stating it was the law enforcement that was causing the problems

I am guessing they meant uthe administration calling in law enforcement. They are not blaming the police. They are blaming knucklehead adm. I am outraged about it myself. Pretty dumb thing to do if you ask me. It’s so close to the end of semester. With finals and the end coming up, the movement would have died down on its own.

[threeofthree]

Yes, exactly - thank you for clarifying. I didn’t want to get labeled anti-police so I just shut down.

[Iglooo]

@blossom

As it is slowly turning out, a lot of these “student protesters” are not actually students.

8 out of 28 non students is no big deal. Of those 8, some are definitely connected to the school, some taking a semester off, or former students, etc. There are always non student members on campus, homemade intellectuals. Throwing remarks as above may create a false impression protests are entirely engineered by impure elements and illegitimate them. .

[MWolf]

I would like to remind people that A. No politics are allows, and B. There is already a thread about student protests about the war in Gaza, and C, posters are expected to behave politely. Attacking other posters is not acceptable.

[Iglooo]

It’s turning into “Cops off campus.” I was afraid of that. That is bigger. It may explode to fighting systematic injustice, how establishment lawfully robs general public, as in 2008. No one went to jail for that. Is this political? I am more interested in social evolution. We are due for an upheaval.

[Lily_Elliott]

@tdy123

Given the cancellation of USC’s main graduation ceremony, and the possibility of other colleges and universities following suit, I’m feeling very sorry for the '24 undergrad seniors, who have already gone through disrupted HS graduations as members of the HS class of '20.

Now that I think about it, many of them were born in 2001, the year of 9/11.

As a 60’s kid, it makes me think of “Born Under a Bad Sign”

I completely understand your feelings about the '24 undergrad seniors and gifts It’s truly disheartening that they’ve had to face such significant disruptions during these pivotal moments in their lives, starting from their HS graduations in 2020 and now with their college graduations. The fact that many of them were born in 2001, the year of 9/11, adds another layer of poignancy to their experiences.

As a fellow “60’s kid,” the phrase “Born Under a Bad Sign” resonates deeply. Despite these challenges, I hope this generation finds strength and resilience in overcoming adversity.