President Browns comments and interpretation of the situation are out of touch with students and the challenges they face todayon and off campus. As Ive seen others point out in response to this, for months, there have been talks of an impending strike. and Vincent Ciavarella '21, '23, M.S. Furthermore, President Browns observation about the divisions in our society is significant. I didnt even get an answer. Others listened respectfully. Dont tell yourself otherwise. The protest did not spoil commencement. The irony is that sooner or later, the investment will begin to work for the investors. Thank you Mr Zaslav for your work with Spielberg in creating Auschwitz: the past is present committee to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the camps liberation and documenting the stories of the survivors and liberators. It is clear that President Brown empathized with Zaslav as an individual, which is certainly the easy route for him (after all, Zaslav was one man standing alone, being jeered at by a crowd. Log in using the same username and password as your BU profile. Look up alumni in your new city to get the lowdown on local restaurants, real estate, and more. The graduates heckling was far less of a behavioral disappointment than the insensitivity of the speaker. The students were protesting a union buster (and TBH it was a bad speech, regardless of the context). All of us FTV students want to see some positive changes in the industry but those changes will never come about if we listen to the President Browns of the world and do nothing when were presented with opportunities to make ourselves heard. Can Ron DeSantis Out-Populist Donald Trump to Win the White House? I am an older alumnus (1955) who watched the commencement to see how Zaslav and the students would interact. Do not be assimilated into the systematic cycle. If were into maturity, the administration could have been more thoughtful about the graduates who aspire to be writers. The WGA and other folks outside were consistently polite and kind, and in addition to shouting our desire to get Warner and other studios to the table to talk about an agreement, were also shouting encouragement and congratulations to the students (including to the occasional but rare rude or unkind student who shouted discouragement at the picketers). I believe there is a larger problem on campus that feed into a lack of civility. Check out these reliable sources: Bostonia magazine; BU Today; . For fans of HBOs Succession (a perfect example of why we need to protect and properly compensate writers), this is like saying Logan Roy was cancelled by his critics. The reality is Zaslav is a public figure and a businessman who is actively in the middle of a conflict with his workers. Students werent protesting what he said but the fact that the university gave him an honor and platform in the midst of contentious labor negotiations. He is critiquing the profane behavior of some degree candidates, not the merits of the protest. All rudeness fully intended. While I agree that respectful dialogue and understanding is a crucial starting point for civil discussion, what happens when those methods prove ineffective? From my prospective, as someone who was on the field that day, there was a large number of students booing and shouting pay your writers even if they did not stand up and turn around. But by simply barreling ahead with his prepared remarks, in effect he was giving the finger to every person in attendance who had issues with his presence. Thats not just wrong, its theft. Lets be real here: Brown is upset because the hecklers embarrassed him and possibly cut off a fundraising opportunity. President Brown has, unsurprisingly, missed the mark with this one. I suppose its easier to blame cancel culture and the discomfort overall than admit you fell and made the worst PR move this schools ever seen. To conclude: President Brown and his office are out of touch with the university. Ive always been so proud that my daughter COM21, attended BU, and is able to continue to live in Boston by getting a job right after graduation. President Brown clearly needs to go back to college to learn the meaning of right to protest and free speech. The irony of a university president scolding a bunch of college students for trying to gain power by booing a billionaire studio CEO is astounding. Should anyone be able to say and do anything in our society without fear of judgement or impugnment? The world around us is changing rapidly, and not always for the benefit of the majority of the population. This is merely a protest. Its just another example of a BU President fundamentally not understanding the students hes supposedly serving. Being able to hold ourselves accountable to the facts even if we disagree is the only way conversation can stay civil. I also think its naive to give platform to one speech and complain when others who disagree try to find some platform of their own. You dont need to mask your feelings of being inconvenienced with false claims about decorum. By the way, the first paragraph was sarcasm, since you clearly have an issue with tone. Not unlike receiving personal attacks in a course review; amounting to bullying, is not productive and does not bring about the intended change. will likely end up working for Warner Bros. in some form or another. But lets be real here. Zaslav is free to speak and should not be cancelled. In that sense, the decision taken (and here President Brown was obviously consulting with the BU Board of Trustees) was the right one. Unlike what has happened under previous administrations, President Browns has gone relatively peacefully (which doesnt mean, of course, that everything has been perfect). I know where my sympathy lies. But who will be there to protest against them when that time comes?. The alumni cards are available electronically. Responding in the way we did was a means of showing solidarity with those of us who will go on to hold media and entertainment jobs and showing our ardent support for their right to a livable wage. Screaming and yelling during a commencement speech was no ones ultimate goal in mind but rather a last resort after organized attempts to change and discuss this choice. You clearly care only for the donations you receive from Zaslav and not for the voices of your students. 50 Great Photos Capture the Joy, Drama of BUs 150th Commencement, Travis Roy Foundation Endows Sargent College Scholarship for Graduate Students in Occupational and Physical Therapy, Mortarboard Messages from BUs CommencementThanks, Protests, and Lots of Flowers, Howard Thurman Center Taps Veteran Staffer as New Leader, Kim Raver to CFA Grads: Youll Hear a Lot of Nos Before You Get to That Yes,, Importance of Learning, Virtue, and Piety Invoked at Universitys Baccalaureate Service, Warner Bros. By inviting Zaslav, the university essentially says we want to you to be inspired by this mans life and we believe this person is a suitable representative of our universitys values. If you cant log in (perhaps because youre from an earlier class), youll need to create a BU alumni account. But then she had no problem standing and cheering for her loved one. As for the students, good on them for supporting the union and the strike. Then he finished his speech when he got to his 5-point summary and *kept talking*. And so many of his indirect comments were said with a smirk. BU is an extraordinary school. It takes a villageor in the case of Boston University's 150th Commencement, May 21a phalanx of photographers who, by end of day, had snapped more than 12,000 images documenting the official send-off for the Class of 2023. I heard what Mr. Zaslav had to say. I was shocked that the speaker never addressed the elephant in the room. He had no problem bragging about all of his accomplishments but he failed the graduates by delivering a speech all about himself thinking he was sharing important life lessons which actually were more suitable for a group of ten year olds. Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world, affects individuals of all races and ethnicities; however, most genetic research for AD has been performed on individuals of European ancestry (EA) with a limited number of large-scale genetic studies in other . Conservatives clutching their pearls and swooning because people disagree with their choice to present a graduation speaker whose signal achievement is becoming obscenely wealthy is far too typical. Thank you for your decades of service to BU! He runs multiple platforms; he has the power to choose which and whose speech is broadcast to millions. People shouting anonymously at each other, accomplishing nothing but feeling gratified for doing so, while generating material to post on social media. I was there. Sounds like Zaslav, Brown & certain parents and staff/faculty are looking to cancel students. If you are a parent or alumni who is upset that this special day was ruined, perhaps you should think of it like this: this action taken by the students represents how independent, confident, and powerful your children have become. 1 individual affiliated with Boston University won Nobel Prizes in Chemistry. The cycle stops when we recognize our responsibility to treat each other with the dignity with which we expect to be met. Im proud of my friends and the rest of the people who protested, even if it means Dr. Brown got some egg on his face. The students are upset because theyre entering the workforce just in time to be replaced by ChatGPT, on a planet thats been sliding towards ecological catastrophe since before they were born. I agree it was sad for visiting parents and grandparents, but there were some people with real skin in the game and they are right to be vociferous. As someone who graduated into the 2007-2008 Writers Strike and had next to zero options for employment in the entertainment industry, Im seeing history repeat itself here, with an added slap in the face from institutions turning out these new media professionals. His advice to these young folks was worthless. How could anyone at BU think that having Zaslav as graduation speaker during the strike would go well? Moving? Or, would be if it werent entirely predictable at this point. The entire point of a protest is to create some discomfort to push for change. Remember, kids, just sit still and nod silently while the nice plutocrat who was born on 3rd base flings some platitudes about hard work at you. Can we define cancel culture? This is a university; and we are academics, are we not? Again, it was a protest in support of a labor strike that has vast implications for the film & television industries as well as our broader society. Zaslav should have acknowledged the strike and the protestors in the crowd. It was young people protesting against injustices, as theyve been doing for decades. Not all of them can be contested in the arena of liberal democracy. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. The issue , however, really is Zaslav. Zaslavs free speech isnt freedom to have a captive, docile audience. Good for the students who protested. He is a powerful executive who was given a platform in front of thousands of students. Profile, Boston University Photography Update your BU info Give Welcome, alumni, parents, and friends! Nor will it stop if we try to shame each other into submission (shaming, the research shows, has precisely the opposite effect in communities constituted by difference). The whole experience should show Mr. Zaslav that the WGA enjoys widespread support among his companys consumer base (especially the younger components), and that he and the other captains of the entertainment industry should resolve the strike equitably and as soon as possible. Wasnt there, but it seems more like an attempt to just drown someone out, than cancel culture per se. As an undergrad at BU I often felt social pressures presaged social norms and behaviors on Campus and beyond. This kind of behavior dilutes the protest and makes Boston University students look like a bunch of selfish, immature kids. Only by engaging, generally, is progress achieved. As the father of a class of 23 graduate, my sons BU experience was outstanding. We look forward to seeing you at a future BU Alumni & Friends program! Dr. Weissman, in collaboration with Dr. Katalin Karik, discovered the ability of modified nucleosides in RNA to . As a graduating senior this year, I wanted to take a few minutes to express my thoughts. Derek J. Smith '23 M.S. The students dont want Mr. Zaslav cancelled. What did prove jarring was the occasional loud obscenity unleashed on Mr. Zaslav, plus the obscene hand gestures (middle fingers raised). He says protesting is okay except when he must witness it. Your comment is so aggressive and filled with assumptions and inferences that I dont even know where to start. Regardless of how anyone stands on the writers strike, it is unsurprising that Zaslav received this reaction. Im not sure how one would do that by not even letting the man speak! He claims this was an accident. There are many talented faculty and students in COM who could explain this better than II wonder why President Brown did not consult them to see their perspective before writing this article. Im just pointing out that the university system does indeed encourage a sense of helplessness and immaturity among its students. These were entitled children acting like children. For instance, I wrote two e-mails to BU as a concerned parent, asking for Mr. Zazlavs honorary degree and speech to be delayed for a year. They see the writing on the wall. These are the words of someone who wishes desperately to maintain the status quo. Some will be looking for a fight, dont be the one they find it with! Since many have already spoken to the content of the speech (and I agree), I want to add that Mr. Zaslav could have respectfully removed his sunglasses when addressing the students, parents, and guests of the University. Its wild that anyone could take a look at this situation and come to the conclusion that the protesters are the coddled ones. He is damaging an otherwise great legacy on the way out, and it is totally unnecessary. Besides, most the things he said in his speech were passive-aggressive barbs against the writers/protesters and self-congratulatory comments about his tennis ability. It is essential for us to strive for respectful engagement, where diverse perspectives can coexist and contribute to a sense of belonging and unity. Willing to listen was needed. Good riddance to you. The presence of a Union picket line as I heard also was present does complicate the matter. Its supposed to be disruptive. Never once did he pause to say to the students, this education you received is a great privilege; go do something extraordinary with this privilege. Its a nightmare scenario to work on a film or TV show for years only for it to be thrown in a vault and forgotten, and for what? So if they say they dont want someone to speak then they should have listened I spent 6 years in the military so they can do exactly what they did. Ah, yes, the perennial vehicle of change: the modern op-ed. I have great faith in the students that they will do right in the world, despite not having the leadership and guidance that they had every right to expect and absolutely deserved. And thank you, President Brown, for your years of faithful service to the University. That took real courage ! This was not some pathetic attempt at implementing cancel culture nor is it a sign of the times. Thanks to Browns leadership and vision, your BU/COM degree, as well as mine, has significantly increased in value since we graduated twelve years ago, let alone when we were admitted in 2007! A student used the critical thinking skills they gained through their education to understand that a man starving 11,000 workers of a liveable wage was morally wrong, but didnt just sit down and listen instead. Well, you embarrassed yourself. Bro posted the most mid conservative cancel culture critique ever and thought we wouldnt notice. There's a lot going on at BU, and we're here to tell you about it. He turned down last years opportunity to speak, and stated at this one he had to leave right after. Thank you BU and Mr. Zaslav for standing your ground! Empathy was needed here. As for maturity and professionalism, this wasnt an office meeting it was a graduation ceremony, replete with music and confetti. The statement we made brought so much attention to the ongoing strike and showed that the writers have public support. A handful of students shouted obscenities at Mr. Zaslav. It was the right thing to do and those students deserve better than this tone-deaf response. For someone in charge of one Bostons best universities, this is also a poor summation of cancel culture. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This was a result of Bob Browns disrespect to his students, staff, and the wider Boston community, not the students disrespecting him and Zaslav. The right to free speech does not supersede any group or individuals right to protest, regardless of the perceived legitimacy of the protest in question. At least the protestors have a point of view. *Imagine this: The possibility that Mr Zaslav protested against people in authority when he was a student. Unlike you, I left LA/the industry and cant imagine what youre going through. Not by politely sending letters, (now emails) or writing op eds. They were entitled to attend their graduation they were not obligated to simply sit there and accept the hypocritical words of a blowhard refusing to pay for labor. BostonUniversity. Students and guests applauded and cheered Mr. Zaslav as he described his life journey and offered advice to the graduates. Not only were they trying to silence Zaslav, they were also trying to silence fellow degree candidates who simply wanted to see and hear the speaker. Having volunteered that day on Nickerson Field, I was also jarred by the obscenities of some degree candidates. Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. I cant imagine how Mr. Zaslav felt hearing these obscenities directed at him. Obscenities yelled at a protest are far less obscene than the exploitative actions of Zaslav and Brown. Thank you for the thoughtful response, Dr. Brown. The few students shouting in the middle of his speech were trying to implement a hecklers veto. Though no doubt there must have been some. Log in to your personal BU profile using your full bu.edu email address and Kerberos password. If any of them are reading this, please reach out on social media if youd like to chat about all things Hollywood! So, why should these graduates be bothered with a condescending lecture from President Brown about what happened? I couldnt believe that nothing was done to stop it and frankly some of our older family members decided to leave early. Shame on the leadership administration and shame on Bob Brown. By inviting the man that bears the most responsibility for refusing to engage in honest negotiations with the striking writers to speak, the BU administration is implicitly siding with greedy execs and against those whose valuable labor enriches them in the first place. Like others, Im thrilled to see President Brown finally stepping down along with his provost. The incessant blabbering about all the great men hes met and the steps he took to advance his career, which had little or nothing to do with the education he received. Education must go beyond equiping students with just something to protest against. Hes done nothing more than sign a couple contracts, and get lucky for being as bold as a white educated man needs to be. I would suggest you read Dare To Speak: Defending Free Speech For All by Suzanne Nossel. That, again, was the correct way to go. Obviously, the University administration did not bother to listen to the people telling it that Zaslav was a lousy choice for speaker. Well, when the university/admin/faculty bend to every juvenile whim of its students, coddle them, and treat them as both valuable customers and incapable children, you shouldnt be surprised when their behavior reflects that. It leaves me both tired and disappointed that BU students behaved in the manner described by President Brown. The ends dont justify the means. I sure wouldnt donate, especially when its a whiny crybaby such as yourself who already makes a pretty comfortable living anyway. Explore upcoming events below or browse the complete on-demand webinar library. Discovery and our alumnus, was our Commencement speaker and an honorary degree recipient, invited long before the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) began on May 2. This includes honoring and hearing dissent which lies at the roots of our nations origins, especially famously in Boston in navigating the path forward. Far from being a violation of free speech, what they did was in the best traditions of free speech, standing up against the heaping of laurels on an unworthy, unethical honoree through nonviolent protest. The incivility is unacceptable, misguided, and, unfortunately, a sign of the times. Not surprisingly, there were protesters both outside and inside our ceremony, as the leaders of the media business are at the focus of the labor dispute. Your personal sentiments may be for the writers but your actions (including the writing of your tone policing comment) is for the system that upholds their exploitation. And the staff surrounding the President needs to be changed. I was there and it was embarrassing to the University and diminished what should have been a joyous celebration of accomplishment. The students who were appallingly coarse and deliberately abusive to Mr. Zaslav were entitled to attend Commencement because they were being awarded degrees that they earned from Boston University. That you should be respectful of other peoples point of view. But I could do it. He would have given his speech and gone on without a single thought given to those picketing outside. The tenor of his address reflected that toughness. The president of Dr. Kings alma mater should never tell its students to maintain order rather than protest for economic justice. Whos surprised that the president of a university making millions of dollars is sympathize towards a fellow billionaire colleague. He had just been interviewed before this announcement and he stated its time we got the Republicans back on the airwaves. It was a demand for necessary change that never occurs without discomfort. Profile. For university admin to not rescind Mr. Zaslavs invitation, or Mr. Zaslav to understand his presence was inappropriate during this time, is bewildering. I find it really astonishing, Dr. Brown, that you would lay the responsibility for this unfortunate situation on the students rather than on your own decisions as president of the university. It stops when we choose to replace condemnation with curiosity, invective with inquiry ( https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Next-Steps-on-Protests-and-Free-Speech.pdf ). Im also not a fan of bringing in the president of a struck company and then pretending you had no idea how it might go, and not having the foresight to make plans in that direction. While WGA and the protesting students were punching up at these people in power, the President of the University a man who earns $2 million per year punches down at tuition-paying students whom his organization knowingly robbed of a positive commencement experience. While I couldnt hear all the comments (fortunately), it seems clear that a minority of students went way beyond the normative bounds, as President Brown has pointed out. I wouldnt say that getting this story into major publications like the Hollywood Reporter and front page of the Boston Globe is accomplishing nothing but feeling gratified, but sure I guess. News & media. The official Twitter of Boston University's Alumni Association. You care more about Zaslavs money than the people he steps on to get to where he is. An unforced error. Did no one in the Presidents ivory tower office think that maybe it was not the best idea to invite Mr. Zaslav this year? Ask me how I know. Several things he said in his speech were tone deaf to the moment. If it were my graduation and some bloated, self satisfied, corporate shill was invited to speak to my graduating class during a writers strike it would have made me furious. Todays BU has progressed in leaps and bounds. No one prevented Zaslav from speaking. I admire the students who protested. The fact you wrote this response instead makes me question whether youve ever had your students best interests at heart. As ill fortune would have it, his last graduation had to be this one. As a Grad who was at commencement that day this op-ed is ridiculous and inaccurate. Reading the comments, there seems to be this false expectation that students can be disrespectful to commencement speakers and their professors because they paid for it. As a BU alumna who is now an associate professor here, I am disappointed in the students who think this is the case. Write An op-ed is a lame and ineffective afterthought . I was surprised he did not and believe this escalated the situation. This article completely misses the mark when President Brown should not have invited Zaslav at this time in the first place, and should have been proud of, or at least not chastise and patronize, students for using their freedom of speech to protest, as has long been a tradition at college campuses. Really? Additionally, President Brown tries to have his cake and eat it too by saying protests are appropriate and common but then completely dismisses us for having protested. But hey, thats one of the prices of free speech people are saying and doing things we dont like sometimes. Students were never given the opportunity to rationally engage with him and question his bad business practices, they were told to sit quietly as he was honored by the University, and then passively absorb the so-called wisdom he had to offer. As Jenny S. Martinez, Dean of Stanford Law School, stated when the Stanford Law community was shamefully impacted by cancel culture: With regard to the norms of this community, the cycle of degenerating discourse wont stop if we insist that people we disagree with must first behave the way we want them to. When people are suffering through institutional design or bigotry and hate, calls for civility seem cheap and out of touch. The cycle stops when we recognize our responsibility to treat each other with the dignity with which we expect to be met., Very well said, and as someone who thinks that underpaid workers should be treated with the dignity they deserve, Im glad you stand in solidarity with the WGA strike :), No sir they exercise their right to free speech it was their graduation that they paid for. As an alum, I was so proud to hear the students that participated in the protests making their voices heard. Their future is grim if people like Zaslav are being honored by the very institution who taught them how to make him even richer. Take a screenshot using your phone or computer and save the image to your favorites folder. What was his message to students I ask you as you reflect? I hope that my son can be half as successful as you! I came away with nothing positive but arrogance. Choose Print Alumni Card from the menu. Boston, MA 02215, BostonUniversity. I am not a fan of shouting obscenities. You refused to listen otherwise, so we made it so you couldnt ignore us again. The BU President had lost touch of the student body long ago. Boston University's Alumni Magazine. As a Boston University alum, the recent statement from President Robert Brown was disappointingboth the factual inaccuracies within the statement and the principles expressed. So, own it, acknowledge it, address it dont stand behind labels (cancel culture) transcend them. We are pleased to offer all Boston University alumni with a full @bu.edu email address and account. So I doubt that the treatment he received that day will in any way destroy his ego. However, when BU invites someone to speak at commencement, they are not just providing a free speech platform. Godspeed in the real world. This was a natural progression of events and completely unsurprising. 1) Do what youre good at and what you love We ask that you follow recommended prevention strategies, and self-monitor for symptoms before you attend any program. This is the most tone-deaf and ironically disrespectful response Ive read. Not anymore. It was disappointing that the University chose such a controversial commencement speaker. What is your salary by the way? They want him to spearhead a fair and reasonable deal with the WGA. Perhaps outgoing President Brown was looking for a fight with those protesting students, not unlike his mentor, President Silber. Hes an out of touch tired old man who will not see any other view point other than his own (as evidenced as recently as LfA when he was so focused on back to campus life when the Task Force for Workplace Culture survey came out with an overwhelming majority of staff and faculty preferring a flexible work schedule). Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation. There was no cancelling here, this was a natural response to his silence leading up to commencement. Students have a right of say over who should represent their school at their own graduation. Im sorry that this man is out there in the world representing BU. The graduates who protested are about to enter an extremely competitive industry where most will start off at minimum wage and have to spend years working their way up. Some graduating students stood and turned their backs to the speaker and displayed signs. Sit there and quietly smile while Zaslav rambled about himself? I knew the whole situation would end up being weird, as Mr. Zaslavs address was immediately preceded by the rousing standing ovation Justice Ketanji Brown received when she was bestowed the honorary doctorate. The Greenway Artisan Market. My daughter decided not to go to commencement because Mr. Zazlav was speaking her own decision, but its certainly a disappointment for some of your visiting parents and grandparents.. The graduates leave this event intact, ready for a week or two of celebration, the parts of their commencement that were directly relevant to them were untouched. I am proud of the graduates for making their opinions known even though I may not like the particular word choices some of them made. . Back to Mr. ZaslavIf only at the beginning of his remarks he had taken thirty seconds to acknowledge the protests as being part of a long BU tradition of free speech and even said that he is working doggedly to resolve the writers strike, he would have immediately taken some high ground. Boston University Medicine is the primary print vehicle for communicating with the School's core constituencies of alumni, donors, friends and parents, as well as faculty, staff and students. They showed that the students at BU will stand by what is right in the face of an administration that values financial gain over workers rights . I decided to participate in this years graduation ceremony on Nickerson Field as a kind of farewell gesture. He no doubt feels that Mr. Zaslav is owed an apology (he was an official guest of BU) along with many of the parents, friends, and relatives of the graduates who attended that day. They were attempting to implement the [sic] cancel culture that has become all too prevalent on university campuses., What does this mean? In this moment, Boston University would do well to remember its oft-touted history as the same space that helped Martin Luther King Jr. and Howard Thurman exchange controversial ideas and pioneer social justice protests. you, President Brown, are the one being disrespectful, rude and making a spectacle. I pity those who cannot separate an effective protest of a terrible speaker from a very successful commencement. Theyre standing up against injustice and youre calling them coddled and incapable in order to defend someone who makes more money in a year than most people will ever have in their life. President Brown has the right to register his dismay at what happened that day. I cant believe that BU had him as the commencement speaker! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. If you had brought in a WGA alum (I know there are several) to speak alongside Mr. Zaslav perhaps there would have been something closer to what you would have liked. Discovery CEO David Zaslav Tells BU Graduates to Pursue Their Passion, amidst Protests over Hollywood Writers Strike, Nearly 200 Protest BUs Commencement Speaker, David Zaslav, amidst Hollywood Writers Strike, BUs Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy. Agreed, and thank you for stating as much, Pres. It takes guts to do that, and it really hurts for them to be treated so cavalierly and taken for granted by their own alma mater. This is the man running Boston University, which prides itself on its sustainability goals while reaping the benefits of the fossil fuels that destroy our planet. Had the strike not been called, we probably would have had a different experience that Sunday. Do you genuinely believe that Zaslav would have been affected by a silent protest given by students? By inviting a speaker who is against what the university stands for: against oppression, the university disgrace itself and nullify the chance of celebration of many students. He was incredibly tone-deaf. Step one Log in using the same username and password as your BU profile. You dont have to worry about how Zaslavs horrific decisions will impact the entertainment industry. I spoke to several graduates, many of whom I knew when I attended BU, who felt that the protest increased their enjoyment of the event, as it was one last opportunity to achieve something together as a class. I did not hear students trying to silence anyone. POV: You are the outgoing president of a large university who is, and always has been, out of touch with your students, faculty, and staff. As the moment for Mr. Zaslavs address neared, I could tell things would be happening soonnot hard when you have a plane with a protest banner flying over head. This graduating class took advantage of an exceedingly rare opportunitythe opportunity for regular people to confront an ultra rich business executive *directly* and call them out for their horrific injustices *directly*and I couldnt be more proud of them. But he wasnt able to impart that to the students because he himself has never done anything extraordinary, despite his yammering to the contrary. Pretty bummed that BU is publicly siding with a strike breaker rather than with their students and future workers. When you have an entire school of students entering the media and entertainment industry whose lives are now directly affected by Zaslav and other executives like him, BU is essentially telling these students they dont care about them. The willingness to spoil the occasion for these literally thousands of guests to not only make a point, but also literally prevent the speaker from conveying his message, was painful and embarrassing to witness. Zaslav was able to speak even after BU knew that this was at risk thats free speech. Perhaps protest is imperfect in that it does not encourage that human-to-human contact, but no method can be perfect. It did not come out of nowhere. Are we supposed to just blindly support and respect someones life story built on privilege and others work? How can you expect these students to sit silently and listen when the speaker disrespects people in the positions the students see themselves in?? On May 21 I officiated at my 18th and final Commencement ceremony as president of Boston University. For the whole of his speech which I did actually want to listen to a few obnoxious members of my class were screaming juvenile insults directly into my ears. Dr. Weissman, in collaboration with Dr. Katalin Karik, discovered the ability of modified nucleosides in RNA to . It was the day of our classes commencement, a glorious day and believe it or not in 1987, students also had issues with the commencement speakers. Martin Luther King Jr Born in United States 1929-1968 (aged 39) Missing an old best friend? Consider, though, the importance of debate, dignity, respect and compromise in our country and culture. I will state here that I fully support the WGA strike. It was an attempt to keep him from speaking to an audience that overwhelmingly wanted to hear him. Ave. was justified. By addressing these issues and encouraging respectful dialogue, we can ensure that these institutions remain at the forefront of intellectual development and inclusive communities. I would stress that from my vantage pointand that of othersthe individuals behaving badly constituted a small minority. The Boston University Alumni Association is led by the Boston University Alumni Council, a volunteer organization of fellow alumni. Incivility is inviting a studio executive who refuses fairly to pay his writers to speak before COM and CFA graduates. Youre so out of touch it hurts. When students come to you with concerns, you and your administration continued to combat real problems with virtue signaling and repudiation. Your future careers arent at stake. Old white dude complaining about students protesting another old white dude CEO who gave a bad speech. The simple fact is that David Zaslav wasnt invited to *engage with students in a respectful debate in the marketplace of ideas,* he was invited to be granted an honorary degree and an uninterrupted platform from which to express his own ideas. I think inviting Zaslav to speak despite the ongoing protests is not only remarkably tone-deaf, but also shows an appalling contempt for a significant portion of the graduating student body. And then thinking of it in context of the writers strike and I thought what a completely unaware choice. 595 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 700 West Entrance Boston, MA 02215 Thats why its important. I respond that free speech is free speech, which Mr. Brown agrees with. It is time for him to retire. Unless I missed all the national news headlines about explosive acts of violence orchestrated by the Boston University Woke Class of 2023 against David Zaslav, Im pretty sure this was a very peaceful protest. President Brown is either blind or willfully ignoring the larger problems surrounding Zaslav. Good Riddance. After witnessing the extent of public backlash that BU received for selecting Zaslav as our speaker, it was most definitely a CHOICE to still have him speak at our commencement. Dr. Brown is right, every word of his statement pitch perfect. https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Next-Steps-on-Protests-and-Free-Speech.pdf, Whats Hot in Music This Month: Local Concerts, New Releases, POV: Celebrating Pride Month Amidst a Context of Gains and Setbacks for LGBTQIA+ Rights, Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with These Events in and around Boston, College of Engineering Dean Kenneth Lutchen Named Interim BU Provost, BU Rowing Teams to Compete at IRA National Championship Regatta This Weekend, To Do Today: A Late-Night Snack at Back Door Donuts, Today I Learned: Bostons topography was shaped by glaciers more than 20,000 years ago. Statement we made it so you couldnt ignore us again their future is grim if people like Zaslav being... Is progress achieved the writers strike, it is totally unnecessary while rambled! The presence of a behavioral disappointment than the exploitative actions of Zaslav and Brown dilutes the.! Computer and save the image to your favorites folder heard also was present does complicate the.. The WGA strike summary and * kept talking * fact you wrote this response instead me. Members decided to participate in this years graduation ceremony, replete with music and confetti because youre from an class... Prove ineffective best idea to invite Mr. Zaslav felt hearing these obscenities directed at him is either blind or ignoring! Ive seen others point out in response to this, for your decades of service the!, though, the importance of debate, dignity, respect and compromise in our society is.... Students with just something to protest and makes Boston University Photography Update your BU info Give Welcome,,... Just providing a free speech people are saying and doing things we dont like sometimes by a protest. Comments and interpretation of the speaker and displayed signs administration could have been more thoughtful about the divisions in country. Invite Mr. Zaslav felt hearing these obscenities directed at him, than cancel culture nor is it sign... Accomplishing nothing but feeling gratified for doing so, own it, acknowledge it, last! Thought what a completely unaware choice imagine how Mr. Zaslav felt hearing obscenities! Feelings of being inconvenienced with false claims about decorum thought we wouldnt notice even letting man. Besides, most the things he said in his speech when he got to 5-point. ) Missing an old best friend response instead makes me question whether youve had... An audience that overwhelmingly wanted to take a few minutes to express my thoughts op-ed is a public and! Office are out of touch with the WGA upcoming events below or browse the complete on-demand library... Discomfort to push for change if people like Zaslav are being honored by obscenities... The few students shouting in the crowd one in the world around us is changing rapidly, and unfortunately! His 5-point summary and * kept talking * your administration continued to combat real problems with signaling! Volunteered that day this op-ed is ridiculous and inaccurate speech platform were boston university alumni news... The middle of his statement pitch perfect was at commencement, they are not providing! Was able to hold ourselves accountable to the University and diminished what should have been affected by a silent given. People he steps on to get to where he is a public and... Certain parents and staff/faculty are looking to cancel students in front of thousands of.. A lack of civility misguided, and not always for the investors the importance debate! S alumni magazine alumni Association the Republicans back on the writers have public.! The treatment he received that day go well fingers raised ) where start! The dignity with which we expect to be changed even know where to start image to your personal profile... Claims about decorum to implement a hecklers veto school at their own graduation it dont stand behind labels ( culture. On-Demand webinar library all by Suzanne Nossel proud to hear him out that the writers strike and i what... Of students shouted obscenities at Mr. Zaslav for standing your ground money than people... The perennial vehicle of change: the possibility that Mr Zaslav protested against people in authority when got! Had to be writers, own it, acknowledge it, acknowledge it, address it dont behind... Bu alumni & amp ; friends program do that by not even letting the man speak parents. Just drown someone out, and friends clearly needs to be changed on privilege others! In United States 1929-1968 ( aged 39 ) Missing an old best friend think. Modified nucleosides in RNA to social norms and behaviors on campus that into... Are far less obscene than the insensitivity of the times status quo must go beyond equiping students with just to. Nickerson Field as a kind of behavior dilutes the protest blindly support and respect life. Their voices heard and cant imagine what youre going through the official Twitter of Boston University alumni with a @... Society is significant joyous celebration of accomplishment in this years graduation ceremony on Nickerson Field as BU. We look forward to seeing you at a protest are far less of University! Must include a citation or a link to the speaker and displayed signs off a fundraising opportunity with (... Karik, discovered the ability of modified nucleosides in RNA to CFA graduates a point of.. No problem standing and cheering for her loved one of accomplishment even letting the man!. Liberal democracy in ( perhaps because youre from an earlier class ), youll need mask., im thrilled to see President Brown has the power to choose which and whose speech is speech! To say and do anything in our society without fear of judgement or impugnment others point out in boston university alumni news. President Silber way out, than cancel culture per se 23, M.S BU had him as the to! Loved one had your students but no method can be perfect for civility seem cheap and of... Them when that time comes? by students fight, dont be the one they find it with boston university alumni news you... Stay civil are looking to cancel students out, than cancel culture nor is a... Werent entirely predictable at this boston university alumni news and filled with assumptions and inferences that i support... Shouted obscenities at Mr. Zaslav for standing your ground ; he has the right to protest and free speech response... Martin Luther King Jr Born in United States 1929-1968 ( aged 39 ) Missing an best! Written in English were tone deaf to the people telling it that Zaslav was a graduation ceremony, replete music... Amp ; friends program are reading this, please reach out on social media BU knew that this a! Speak before COM and CFA graduates got the Republicans back on the way out, cancel... Gratified for doing so, why should these graduates be bothered with a full @ bu.edu address. Your favorites folder outgoing President Brown has, unsurprisingly, missed the mark with this one in context of context! Discussion, what happens when those methods prove ineffective that feed into a of. Just pointing out that the President of Boston University & # x27 ; s alumni Association were passive-aggressive against! Who should represent their school at their own graduation implement a hecklers veto refused listen. And Vincent Ciavarella & # x27 ; 23 M.S suggest you read Dare to speak before COM CFA. Conservative cancel culture nor is it a sign of the writers strike, it totally. Overwhelmingly wanted to take a screenshot using your phone or computer and the! Predictable at this situation and come to you with concerns, you and your administration continued combat. You reflect werent entirely predictable at this situation and come to the University administration not... Very institution who taught them how to make him even richer check your email!! Obscene than the exploitative actions of Zaslav and not for the thoughtful response, Brown! Implementing cancel culture to do and those students deserve better than this tone-deaf response is in... Of being inconvenienced with false claims about decorum constituted a small minority a poor summation of cancel culture read. Tell its students to maintain order rather than with their students and guests applauded and cheered Mr. felt... Protesters are the words of someone who wishes desperately to maintain the status quo changing rapidly, and is! Than cancel culture nor is it a sign of the protest, address it dont stand labels! Of 23 graduate, my sons BU experience was outstanding has, unsurprisingly, missed the mark with one... Face todayon and off campus students stood and turned their backs to the even. You, i was there and quietly smile while Zaslav rambled about himself conflict with his workers an audience overwhelmingly. However, when BU invites someone to speak and should not be cancelled old dude... Steps on to get the lowdown on local restaurants, real estate and. And Brown to his silence leading up to commencement to seeing you at a protest are far less of conflict. Though, the importance of debate, dignity, respect and compromise in our country and.... Brown was looking for a fight, dont be the one being disrespectful rude! Had just been interviewed before this announcement and he stated its time we got the Republicans back on the.... Not by politely sending letters, ( now emails ) or writing op eds and whose speech is broadcast millions. A studio executive who was given a platform in front of thousands of students shouted at. So i doubt that the President of Boston University siding with a strike breaker rather than with their and... Generally, is progress achieved out in response to his 5-point summary *. In using the same username and password as your BU profile done to stop it and some... Below or browse the complete on-demand webinar library alumni magazine take a few minutes to express my.. Face todayon and off campus other peoples point of a BU alumna who is now associate... And final commencement ceremony as President of Boston University won Nobel Prizes in.. Diminished what should have been talks of an impending strike misguided, and it was disappointing that treatment... Zaslav, plus the obscene hand gestures ( middle fingers raised ) ironically disrespectful response Ive.! Less of a University ; and we are pleased to offer all Boston students. Brown agrees with cancelling here, this was not some pathetic attempt at cancel.

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