First, the controversy over USC’s decision to “uninvite” the 2024 valedictorian to speak during next month’s commencement is now an international story. I’m happy to report my letter was published a few days ago in the LA Times. Second, the 25th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School was yesterday. Below, you will find my letter on the topic (which I submitted to papers this morning, so obviously it has not been published). As always, thanks for taking a look … and have a peaceful Sunday.
Los Angeles Times, April 18
As a proud 1970 USC graduate, I'm afraid the university's decision to cancel Asna Tabassum's valedictorian speech will have a lasting, negative impact on students, faculty and alumni. But wait, there is a way to make lemonade here. Give Ms. Tabassum the opportunity to videotape her speech and post it on SC's website. This way her speech, no matter how inflammatory some people think it might be, can be watched by anyone who wishes to view it.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach
Joe Biden marks the 25th anniversary of the Columbine shooting
The massacre at Columbine High School may have happened 25 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. That's because each time there has been another school shooting, we are reminded of our collective loss of life and innocence.
As a 75-year-old father of three grown children and two grandchildren, I applaud President Biden for his efforts to reduce gun violence. That said, there is a gaping hole in his legislative agenda that needs to be filled (i.e., addressed). Absent support from the National Rifle Association, 2nd Amendment proponents, law enforcement officials and families of victims, there is little chance Congress will pass meaningful, new gun safety laws.
With this thought in mind, last summer I,000 people signed an online petition encouraging the president to convene a gun summit at Camp David with the aforementioned parties in attendance. Like President Carter did in 1978 -- when he, Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel spent two weeks together forging a lasting, historic peace agreement -- we believed then, and still do now, Joe Biden has a chance to truly change the nation's future when it comes to gun violence.
Not surprisingly, some critics of the idea have said the leaders of the "pro-gun lobby" will not attend a Camp David summit so why bother? I'll tell you why: Because when the President of the United States personally invites you to meet with him you show up. It's that simple.
The memory of Columbine remains fixed in the American psyche. Those who signed last summer's petition still believe the outcome from a Camp David gun summit, along with new laws passed by Congress, will go a long way toward healing the wounds that have plagued us for the past 25 years. We hope President Biden will agree.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, Calif.
I think taping the speech is a cop out. College campus's is where young adults can learn about lots of things that they normally might not. Students should be open to anyone. They don't have to go if they don't want to. You just can't expect to go through life never hearing anything that you might not agree with.