What’s at risk when universities cancel graduation speakers?
As graduation season takes place in the US, some speakers are being told they can no longer give their address at commencement ceremonies because of opinions they have voiced. The Guardian spoke to PEN America’s director of campus free speech, Kristen Shahverdian, who said the cancellations were sending a very troubling message
TL;DR
- Some graduation speakers are being canceled in the US due to their voiced opinions.
- PEN America's director of campus free speech, Kristen Shahverdian, finds these cancellations troubling.
- The trend raises concerns about free speech at university commencement ceremonies.