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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to say that graduation ceremonies are not the place to make political statements?

443 replies

anythingbutlillies · 09/07/2025 20:53

Hard hat on.

DC's graduation today. Fabulous day, but it did not sit well with me that a few chose to unfurl a flag / raise a scarf while they were on the stage.
Just no! So very selfish.

Interested to hear if I am being precious?

OP posts:
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5
SuburbanSprawl · 10/07/2025 15:55

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 15:36

No it's a proper noun.

ETA the all important "also" to save argument on a hot day.

Edited
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No, 'Jew' is a noun.

'Jewish' is an adjective derived from that noun. So 'Jewish holiday', 'Jewish tradition'

Dictionary.com....

Jewish
/ ˈdʒuːɪʃ /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Jews

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 15:49

thepariscrimefiles · 10/07/2025 15:44

Obviously because I want to know what you think. Netanyahu and the Israeli Government spokesmen and women always accuse anyone who criticises their actions in Gaza and the West Bank of being anti-semitic. I am interested to know whether you agree with them.

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If you want to know what I think, ask me. Don't make up some bizarre thing based on nothing I have said and ask me if I agree.

thepariscrimefiles · 10/07/2025 15:44

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:53

Why are you asking me that?

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Obviously because I want to know what you think. Netanyahu and the Israeli Government spokesmen and women always accuse anyone who criticises their actions in Gaza and the West Bank of being anti-semitic. I am interested to know whether you agree with them.

YellowCamperVan · 10/07/2025 15:42

I don't think it should be tolerated. As others have said, imagine if every single student started waving a flag? Would everyone feel comfortable waving the flag of their choice? How would an Israeli flag go down, or a Russian flag? It has the potential to cause unrest and makes the day about political causes and global events rather than celebrating the academic achievements of the students. I would be disappointed if it was my one and only graduation ceremony and half the auditorium were trying to make it about something other than graduating.

Let's say flags are allowed in general, not just flags from a country, and everyone can bring a flag to represent their own belief system. So in theory we can have flags espousing all kinds of political beliefs. Maybe an anarchy flag, an animal liberation front flag, a Hamas flag, an IDF logo, a swastika (some cultures see it as a peace symbol), a Reform flag, the possibilities are endless. Does it become a thing where you're shunned if you don't use the opportunity to show your allegiance to a cause or party?

I'm not usually one for slippery slope arguments but here I think it would be wise to put a stop to this early. I doubt the university knew it was going to happen. And hopefully moving forwards there'll be a blanket rule.

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 15:36

SuburbanSprawl · 10/07/2025 15:27

...adjective...

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No it's a proper noun.

ETA the all important "also" to save argument on a hot day.

Nn9011 · 10/07/2025 15:27

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 15:19

Aha you're a conspiracy theorist and a zealot. Thanks for letting me know so I don't waste any more time attempting to engage with you.

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I'm definitely not a conspiracy theorist. I'm explaining the actual factual history of how Israel was formed. What did I say that wasn't true?

SuburbanSprawl · 10/07/2025 15:27

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:09

To add, Jewish is a proper noun.

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...adjective...

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 15:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Aha you're a conspiracy theorist and a zealot. Thanks for letting me know so I don't waste any more time attempting to engage with you.

Nn9011 · 10/07/2025 15:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Digdongdoo · 10/07/2025 15:03

Young people really can't win. Whinge that they're disengaged, whinge when they do engage.
Students have been waving flags as long as universities have existed. You're only bothered because you didn't agree with these particular flags.

Genevieva · 10/07/2025 15:02

Writerscompanion · 10/07/2025 07:16

You’d be quite wrong then: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/29587

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Admittedly I didn’t know about this incident, but it wasn’t tolerated, as the article explains. Given Cambridge’s recent reputation, I am pleased to see that the attention seeking twerp was dealt with swiftly and without compromise.

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:54

MissyB1 · 10/07/2025 14:16

A Palestinian flag does not make anyone anti semitic, can you stop insinuating that it does.

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I'm not sure why you're saying I have done that. Read my posts properly before you comment next time.

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:53

thepariscrimefiles · 10/07/2025 14:16

Is criticism of the far right Israeli Government and the conduct of the IDF always anti-semitic?

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Why are you asking me that?

Original poster
anythingbutlillies · 10/07/2025 14:49

Velmy · 10/07/2025 13:34

'Student makes a statement shock-horror!'

In other news... Sky, blue. Water, wet.

Also...If you're offended by another country existing, that's a 'you' problem.

Nope, no shock at students making a statement.

Nope, not offended by another country existing.

Please try harder.

OP posts:
TorturedParentsDepartment · 10/07/2025 14:39

We had someone do a back flip on stage when I graduated. I would have preferred the flag.

onehorserace · 10/07/2025 14:24

Would people who think this flag waving is appropriate be ok with an anti trans banner eg?

Comedycook · 10/07/2025 14:21

MissyB1 · 10/07/2025 14:16

A Palestinian flag does not make anyone anti semitic, can you stop insinuating that it does.

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Context is everything

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/07/2025 14:20

TBH I’m surprised it’s allowed - it’s hardly the time or place.

Graduation ceremonies are pretty tedious though - too many droning-on speeches. The only bit anyone’s actually interested in, is seeing their own dc go up, shake hands, and get their fake, rolled-up ‘degree certificate’.

Plus the photos are invariably an absolute ripoff.

ExercicenformedeZ · 10/07/2025 14:19

anythingbutlillies · 10/07/2025 09:30

It's irrelevant and not the point of the thread.

3 different virtue signalling statements

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I can guess at least one of the other ones.

MissyB1 · 10/07/2025 14:16

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:08

So glad you have nothing against Jewish people, many thanks.

It's disingenuous to pretend that there is no anti semitic element to the pro-Palestine movement. By doing that, you once again separate Jews into "good Jew" (support the movement unconditionally) and "bad Jew" (are pro genocide/torture/killing little children). As ever the reality is a lot more nuanced and Jewish people are right to be wary at best. Why do you think that, post 7th October, so many of us choose not to disclose our Jewishness publicly?

Show quote history

A Palestinian flag does not make anyone anti semitic, can you stop insinuating that it does.

thepariscrimefiles · 10/07/2025 14:16

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:08

So glad you have nothing against Jewish people, many thanks.

It's disingenuous to pretend that there is no anti semitic element to the pro-Palestine movement. By doing that, you once again separate Jews into "good Jew" (support the movement unconditionally) and "bad Jew" (are pro genocide/torture/killing little children). As ever the reality is a lot more nuanced and Jewish people are right to be wary at best. Why do you think that, post 7th October, so many of us choose not to disclose our Jewishness publicly?

Show quote history

Is criticism of the far right Israeli Government and the conduct of the IDF always anti-semitic?

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:09

Summerartwitch · 10/07/2025 13:46

''@AmadeustheAlpaca · Yesterday 20:57
Assuming the flags etc were pro Palestinian, I wonder how that made Jewish students feel.''

Objecting to the systematic starving and killing of Palestinian civilians is not anti-jewish.

I have nothing against Jewish people but I do object to the behaviour of the Israeli government and so do many jewish people.

I have no issue with young people making their views known and thankfully we still have freedom of speech in this country.

To add, Jewish is a proper noun.

ForWittyTealOP · 10/07/2025 14:08

Summerartwitch · 10/07/2025 13:46

''@AmadeustheAlpaca · Yesterday 20:57
Assuming the flags etc were pro Palestinian, I wonder how that made Jewish students feel.''

Objecting to the systematic starving and killing of Palestinian civilians is not anti-jewish.

I have nothing against Jewish people but I do object to the behaviour of the Israeli government and so do many jewish people.

I have no issue with young people making their views known and thankfully we still have freedom of speech in this country.

So glad you have nothing against Jewish people, many thanks.

It's disingenuous to pretend that there is no anti semitic element to the pro-Palestine movement. By doing that, you once again separate Jews into "good Jew" (support the movement unconditionally) and "bad Jew" (are pro genocide/torture/killing little children). As ever the reality is a lot more nuanced and Jewish people are right to be wary at best. Why do you think that, post 7th October, so many of us choose not to disclose our Jewishness publicly?

Summerartwitch · 10/07/2025 13:46

''@AmadeustheAlpaca · Yesterday 20:57
Assuming the flags etc were pro Palestinian, I wonder how that made Jewish students feel.''

Objecting to the systematic starving and killing of Palestinian civilians is not anti-jewish.

I have nothing against Jewish people but I do object to the behaviour of the Israeli government and so do many jewish people.

I have no issue with young people making their views known and thankfully we still have freedom of speech in this country.

Velmy · 10/07/2025 13:34

'Student makes a statement shock-horror!'

In other news... Sky, blue. Water, wet.

Also...If you're offended by another country existing, that's a 'you' problem.

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