News Summary
New York University has canceled a scheduled speech by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro regarding cancel culture due to security concerns. The event was set to cover Shapiro’s experiences and insights from his book, ‘Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites.’ Heightened security measures coincided with the two-year anniversary of a notable terrorist attack, leading NYU to withdraw permission for the event. This cancellation has raised questions about free speech and selective bias in university event approvals.
New York City – The New York University (NYU) law school has canceled a scheduled speech by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro concerning cancel culture due to security concerns. The event, planned for October 7, aimed to discuss Shapiro’s book, “Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites,” which outlines various incidents of cancel culture within elite law schools, including his own experiences.
The scheduled date marked the two-year anniversary of a terrorist attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas, leading to heightened security considerations. Shapiro, who is Jewish and an advocate for Israel, was invited by the Federalist Society to speak, but after attempts to change the location for safety reasons, the event was ultimately canceled due to scheduling issues and Shapiro’s unavailability.
An administrator initially approved the event; however, following a later assessment of security needs, NYU law school withdrew permission to host it altogether. Associate Dean Megan McDermott confirmed the impact of security concerns in a communication to students, stating that NYU’s security personnel would be stretched thin that week.
Even after the cancellation of Shapiro’s event, the Federalist Society successfully hosted a different event that same week, raising questions regarding the university’s decision-making process and potential selective bias in permitting speakers. McDermott clarified that the decision to cancel was not a reflection of the speaker or the program but rather due to the already allocated security resources for other planned events.
Shapiro criticized the cancellation as a manifestation of “weak university officials” capitulating to a supposed “heckler’s veto,” at which point he offered to send a copy of his book to NYU’s dean. Despite this, NYU later clarified that they had not fully canceled the event, indicating a divergence in communications about the situation.
Robert Shibley, an expert in free speech associated with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, condemned the cancellation as an example of a “textbook heckler’s veto.” He contended that universities should not demonstrate favoritism towards speakers based on their perceived popularity or acceptance.
Ilya Shapiro’s history with campus cancel culture is noteworthy. He previously resigned from a prospective position at Georgetown University after facing backlash due to a controversial social media post relating to President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee. This post referenced affirmative action and included remarks about racial identity in relation to judicial appointments, igniting criticism and contributing to his experience with cancel culture on college campuses.
The political discourse surrounding free speech at universities has shifted considerably. Conservatives, previously critical of cancel culture aimed at left-leaning individuals, are now experiencing similar dynamics targeting their viewpoints. This has generated an ongoing discussion about the state of free speech and the treatment of diverse perspectives within academic settings.
The ongoing discourse around cancel culture and university speech encapsulates a progressively charged environment, with figures like Ilya Shapiro finding themselves at the center of these contentious debates. The incident at NYU has prompted broader reflections on the responsibilities of academic institutions in fostering open dialogue while ensuring safety and security for their communities.
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Additional Resources
- The College Fix: NYU Law School Cancels Speech About Cancel Culture
- Deseret News: RIP Cancel Culture
- New York Post: NYU College Republican President Ousted
- Washington Post: Hamas, Israel, and Cancel Culture
- Wikipedia: Cancel Culture
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