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

[anythingbutlillies]

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?

Also, when the two Arabic boys first stood up, there was a little panic as they started shouting angrily at the whole audience. That's a bit scary.

You're a bit scary, using language like that! What on earth do you mean by ‘Arabic boys’? Arabic is a language. And if you mean Arab, I assume you’re using it as shorthand for Muslim Arabs. You do know that there are Christian Arabs and Jewish Arabs as well, don’t you?

It’s unsuitable, unhelpful and vacuous attention seeking. If they care that much they should give money to suitable charities privately, not say ‘look at me and how worthy I think I am’ during a ceremony with a dedicated purpose of its own.

I doubt they could do this at the older universities, where the graduation is highly ceremonial, in Latin, with no stage and you kneel on the floor at the feet of the vice chancellor. It’s timeless and solemn. You feel as if you have stepped into a Renaissance painting.

I don't believe a word of this. Why is no-one flying flags to support the women of Afghanistan if flag flying at graduation ceremonies is acceptable.

Or maybe they might think what's happening there is none of our business, and we should stay out of the affairs of other countries and worry about our own country.

That's all well and good, if Synagogues weren't being burnt, swastikas written on buildings, and Jewish people being attacked, all in the name of defending Palestine.

Exactly. I’m getting sick of it. I even saw anti-Israel sentiments scrawled all on the path in the local park yesterday morning.

Exactly. And I bet none of them waved a Ukrainian flag.

All those on here saying why would it upset Jewish students, are being more than a tad disingenuous. I repeat that if Synagogues weren't being burnt, swastikas written on buildings, and Jewish people being attacked, all in the name of defending Palestine, it wouldn't be an issue. But being pro Palestine has seen Jewish students attacked on campus. It has made Jewish students a target for hate and racism. It shouldn't be that way. But that's the way it is.

Wow! Tell us you know nothing young people today without telling us you know nothing about young people today. What an ignoramous you are. I’d love you to meet my DDs.

Oh the irony of paying a shit load of money to get a degree and then attend an outdated award ceremony where you’re herded like cattle from gown hire to photographer to expensive venue all for your 10 seconds of fame. At the same time, you want to virtue-signal your support of something you know very little about by way of waving a flag in said venue.
Waving a flag will do absolutely nothing to help Palestinians, stop the fighting in the Middle East, shut down Hamas or return the Jewish hostages to their families. Absolutely pathetic.

Palestinians are being killed, starved, held illegally and displaced in the name of Israel though, and let’s be honest, Israel started it.

I think it sums up most students I’ve met TBH!

Did they? Really? So who decided to set up a Jewish State after WW2 then?

Yep, Wetherspoons is totally staffed by ex students with degrees in Politics 😂

Actually it is never inappropriate to speak out against genocide and I'm shocked that you'd think it is. Students have often been on the right side of history, and have often spoken out against injustice and evil in the world. It is THEIR graduation and if they're intelligent, educated and compassionate enough to want to use this important moment in THEIR life to make a statement that they support the oppressed and are against a brutal genocide then good for them. They'll be proud of this moment in the future and I hope they are proud of themselves now.

Universities have long been places for political discourse and activist groups. If not there, then where?

The irony of so many people (not all) with useless degrees being so full of their self important that they should use this moment to attract attention to themselves in this day.

No cause needs this hare brained activist types who just like to signal their virtues.

Yes, how bizarre that they should use THEIR day to make a statement about something THEY are passionate about! Students should just stop using their brains and thinking altogether, right? It's just genocide, the massacre of innocent people, why do they even care?

Where did I say I was upset because I was delayed for a bit? 🤔

So what if an Israeli flag was unfurled for remembrance of the victims of October 7th and as signal to release hostages? What would the reaction of fellow students and parents be?

The naive virtue signalling support of a people governed by a heinous Islamist terrorist group is worrying and shows a distinct lack of critical thinking. Students should be debating ideas not rsorting to sloganeering.

You want to get one of them and get them to see if they can propose a roadmap to a solution to one of the most intractable conflicts in history.

Not as bad as the woman who wanted to take her toddler on stage with her. She’d brought him a cap and gown.

Where did I say I resented having to wait a little bit longer?

It was a joyous day that we wanted to last as long as possible.

Yesterday 21:03

It takes significantly longer to get your flag out, unfurl it, hold it up and stand there awaiting additional applause than the normal process. Imagine if they all did that! So yes, selfish.

It's completely unacceptable. Graduation is about academic achievement not pointless virtue signalling. I bet they won't have considered the hostages who didn't get to finish their degrees.

These kind of people do more harm than good to the Palestinian people