Cornell Disinvites Israel-Bashing Pro-Intifada Musical Performer From Unity Event After Backlash
“If anti-Israel activists want Kehlani to perform, they should do it on their own dime and at their own anti-Israel event, of which there are many.”
The school originally claimed it was too late to cancel. Apparently, they thought better of it. Professor Jacobson is quoted in this article.
From the New York Post:
Cornell University yanks anti-Israel performer Kehlani from end-of-year concert after wave of backlash
Cornell University on Wednesday canned Jew-bashing entertainer Kehlani’s upcoming campus performance after facing overwhelming backlash over the decision to host the anti-Israel musician.
President Michael Kotlikoff said he’d rescinded the Grammy Award-nominated R&B artist’s invitation to perform next month at the university’s “Slope Day” end-of-year celebration — just days after the school initially defended the move.
“Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” he wrote in a letter to students and staff.
“In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media.”…
Cornell law professor William Jacobson, who is the founder of civil rights group EqualProtect.org, said the school was “put in an impossible position by anti-Israel activists who seek to hijack every public event.”
“My preference is to answer toxic speech with more speech, not cancellation, but in this circumstance where the performer was at odds with the entire purpose of the event and never should have been selected, I’m not sure the school had much choice,” he said.
“If anti-Israel activists want Kehlani to perform, they should do it on their own dime and at their own anti-Israel event, of which there are many.”
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Comments
Way to take a stand Cornell. First take the wrong side and then after major pushback, switch to the opposite side, I supposed it cheaper and faster than taking a poll. However, it really shows your lack of common sense, morality, and character. You should be ashamed of yourselves but I doubt you understand the concept.
You’re wrong about the process. Slope Day entertainers are selected by a student group, after polling the student body. As usual, the university rubber stamped the selection. The administration was clueless until the concerns about anti-semitism emerged, at which point they waffled. First they announced the show would go forward, but Kehlani would be contractually prevented from discussing politics; then a few days later, they cancelled her performance. There will be other performers at Slope Day, but no headliner.
Slope day – is that like Gook day? I’ll show myself out.
I have a photo of the lobby of Cornell’s Gannet Clinic the morning of Slope Day. All the furniture has been removed and replaced with pairs of mattresses on the floor. Each pair has an IV floor stand and a bucket.
Up until the bucket, I was picturing a blood drive. Now I’m befuddled.
You wouldn’t be befuddled if you knew the character of Cornell students who are celebrating the end, not only of classes, but of an Ithaca winter.
IV fluids for dehydration due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Slope Day was initially a non-organized affair: students just showed up to picnic and drink on a big, grassy hillside overlooking Ithaca, next to the library. Over the years, the drinking got totally out of hand, with all the negative consequences you’d imagine. A few years back Cornell decided to deal with the problem by creating a formal event, fencing the area to control admission, tightening security, setting up a beer garden, and prohibiting outside alcohol.
The results have been mixed. On the plus side, there are fewer fights, underage kids and troublemakers from outside the university are kept out, and the concert provides something for the students to do besides drink. On the other hand, many students respond to the alcohol restrictions at the event by drinking heavily in the morning before arriving at the Slope. Hence the preparations at the campus health center (which is right next to the Slope).
Excellent summary!