American higher learning institutions are at an inflection point. Last week, prestigious Columbia University – the Ivy League school located in the financial capital of the United States – did something unprecedented, but not surprising.

They had over 100 (peacefully) protesting students who were camping on university grounds arrested, declaring the protests “a clear and present danger” to the university.

Across the United States, students are calling for divesting from Israeli companies, amid its deadly assault on Gaza. Similar encampments have also begun at Yale, MIT, Tufts and others.

Columbia reportedly also sent emails to those arrested informing them that they were suspended and temporarily barred from their dorms.

This is following months of harassment of pro-Palestinian students on campus and clamping down on dissent.

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Soon after, three Head Barnard Student Admissions Representatives at Barnard College – Columbia’s sister school – resigned citing how in light of the arrests, they can “no longer be complicit in advertising this school to prospective students”.

“We are appalled with the college’s decision to suspend and evict students, many of whom identify as first-generation/low-income students of color,” they wrote.

“This is a complete contradiction of Barnard’s academic mission to ‘disagree better’.”

Last week, University of Southern California cancelled its Muslim valedictorian’s speech on account of ‘antisemitism’.

The Muslim student – Asna Tabassum – had her speech revoked following complaints about her selection by two campus pro-Israeli groups that cited her social media support for Palestinians.

Again, the school cited it was on grounds of “safety” concerns, which Tabassum criticised.

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“I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,” she wrote.

Fun fact: Tabassum happened to be minoring in Resistance to Genocide – that too, with a live Genocide unfolding in another part of the world.

Did the AIPAC really do away with it all?

I for one would have loved to see how she framed and articulated her speech in light of such events.

Following such criticism, USC went a step further and cancelled all commencement speeches. CNN anchor Michael Smerconish expressed his shock and dismay at this decision, with his report titled, ‘USC leaves students speechless’.

A Los Angeles Times editorial wrote, “We will not move past the crisis of the moment by silencing those with whom we disagree. The university is exactly the sort of place where such views must be heard. Otherwise, it is not a University.”

It’s a shame indeed. An entire graduating class at this celebrated West Coast institution was denied this celebratory and commemorative gesture – the words of wisdom, encouragement, advice – all due to alleged anti-Semitism and all on the grounds of – you guessed it – “safety”.

Ah safety. The fast-becoming empty and hollow shell of an excuse being touted by the Israeli government, IDF, the United States and all those wanting to shield Israel’s war-crimes.

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Another moral high.

Last week, Google fired 28 engineers who raised concerns over their involvement in Project Nimbus – a $1.2 billion joint contract to provide the Israeli government and military with cloud and artificial intelligence services.

Google decided they would rather do without these skilled professionals, rather than heed employee concerns.

All instances described above include young college students, graduates and professionals – the very ideal that made the United States revered and feared by those aspiring to taste a piece of the freedom, values and excellence that it touts itself to stand for.

But right now, these are the individuals who have had to now endure stymieing, isolation and subjugation, on account of their moral views and standing which will no doubt have repercussions within the United States and its global standing for years to come.

Aren’t finest higher learning institutions supposed to be crafting the next generation of leaders, inventors and thinkers? What will be the consequences of clamping down on them at this stage?

When did college campuses become a place of contention and aggression? If universities – especially Ivy League institutions – aren’t the place for dissent and debate, then what is?

If these students’ voices are shut down now, what will become of their expensive degrees and fresh undulated ideas, if this is how their education system has treated them. To think, perceive and analyse – aren’t these among the skills they chose these fine academic institutions for?

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The same goes for Google. What of these young professionals who set out to make a difference in the world, pushing the envelope forward providing technological solutions, inevitably finding themselves on the wrong side of an unfolding genocide.

Were they this dispensable?

Apparently so.

A New York Times opinion columnist asked the question, “if our richest universities, cosseted by tenure and plumped with their ample endowments, cannot be citadels of free speech and forums for wrestling with the most difficult ideas, what hope is there for any other institution in our country?”

I couldn’t agree more. The mitts are off, and with it, the veil of academic freedom.

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