Art critic Aruna D’Souza made a bold statement today by renouncing her degrees from New York University in response to the institution’s condemnation of a graduating student’s pro-Palestine commencement speech. The student, Logan Rozos, spoke out against Israel’s attacks on Gaza during the ceremony, labeling them as a United States-funded genocide. This stance, supported by major human rights organizations, garnered loud cheers and applause from the audience.
In a surprising turn of events, NYU spokesperson John Beckman criticized Rozos’s speech as one-sided and misleading, prompting the university to withhold his diploma and pursue disciplinary action. D’Souza, who holds a Master’s in Arts and a PhD in Art History from NYU, expressed her disappointment in the institution’s response and decided to formally renounce her degrees in protest.
The art critic, known for her contributions to publications like 4Columns and the New York Times, stated that her degrees have become “valueless” due to NYU’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian expression. Despite this bold move, it remains unclear whether the university will officially revoke D’Souza’s degrees, as Beckman has yet to respond to inquiries.
D’Souza commended Rozos for his bravery in speaking out at the graduation ceremony, stating that alumni should follow suit in supporting his actions. She highlighted NYU’s history of suppressing pro-Palestinian voices, including arrests of student and faculty demonstrators and the suspension of a Palestinian adjunct professor for his statements in class.
In her email to NYU President Linda Mills, D’Souza declared that she would no longer use the title of “doctor” and would remove all references to the institution from her curriculum vitae. She emphasized that NYU’s actions have undermined critical thinking on campus, rendering their endorsement meaningless in her eyes.
As D’Souza takes a stand against NYU’s stifling of free speech and dissent, her decision to renounce her degrees serves as a powerful statement in support of academic freedom and social justice. The art critic’s actions underscore the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of institutional backlash.
