April 18th 2024.
As the spring commencement season approaches, a number of prestigious colleges and universities have announced plans to offer graduation celebrations that are specifically tailored to students of different races, sexualities, and income levels. This move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action policies, which has sparked fierce debate and controversy.
Among the schools that have decided to hold separate ceremonies for certain groups are Pennsylvania State University, Harvard, Columbia, American, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. For example, in May 2024, Black graduates will have their own ceremony at these universities, while in previous years, LGBTQ+ students, undocumented immigrants, Arab students, and low-income scholars have also had their own separate events.
Despite facing pushback from conservative lawmakers who argue for the closure of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices responsible for organizing these ceremonies, supporters have emphasized the importance of allowing marginalized communities to celebrate their cultural identities in a safe and inclusive environment. According to Omekongo Dibinga, a professor of intercultural communications at American University, these ceremonies provide a much-needed sense of belonging for students who don't fit into the traditional mold of a "White, Christian, cis-gendered, heterosexual male."
It's worth noting, however, that these gatherings are not mandatory and are open to anyone who wishes to attend. American University, for instance, has been offering separate graduations since 2017, but they do not replace the main commencement ceremony. Instead, these events serve as an additional opportunity for students to come together and celebrate their shared experiences and identities. Dibinga also pointed out that, legally, these ceremonies do not meet the definition of segregation, as they are not forcing anyone to be apart from others, but rather providing a space for individuals to gather with their own community.
Similarly, Columbia University's Multicultural Affairs office has organized "Multicultural Graduation Celebrations" for students who self-identify in a variety of ways. The goal of these celebrations is to create a more intimate and supportive environment for students to celebrate their achievements. According to the school's website, these ceremonies aim to address issues of identity, social responsibility, allyship, and equity that are important for students at different stages of their development.
While these events have been met with praise from many students and faculty members, they have also faced criticism from some, including GOP legislator Sen. Tom Cotton. In a tweet, Cotton expressed his belief that these ceremonies are the result of "critical race theory" and ultimately lead to segregation. However, supporters of these ceremonies argue that there is nothing in the Constitution that prevents individuals from choosing to gather with members of their own community and celebrating their unique identities.
Even schools like Harvard, which have faced their fair share of controversy in recent years, have decided to hold affinity celebrations for certain groups of students. These celebrations, which were not publicly announced, were revealed through internal documents and include ceremonies for Black, gay, Jewish, Asian, Latinx, "first generation-low income," and military veteran graduates. The decision to add a Jewish ceremony was made after the school faced allegations of antisemitism, resulting in the resignation of the first Black president, Claudine Gay.
In the end, the debate over these separate graduation ceremonies highlights the ongoing tension between promoting diversity and inclusion and the pushback from those who argue against it. As students prepare to graduate and move on to the next chapter of their lives, these ceremonies serve as a reminder that every individual deserves to be celebrated and recognized for their unique identities and experiences.
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