Latest news with #MichaelI.Kotlikoff
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kehlani's Cornell show canceled over ‘antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments'
Cornell University has pulled the plug on R&B singer Kehlani performing at its annual campus concert over her antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments. The five-time Grammy Award-nominated artist, who has been outspoken about Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, was dropped from the upstate New York Ivy League school's 2025 Slope Day festivities, taking place May 7. Newly appointed school president Michael I. Kotlikoff wrote that 'the selection of Kehlani as this year's headliner has injected division and discord' into the event in an email Wednesday. 'In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media,' he wrote. Earlier this month, the Trump administration halted $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell amid the President's ongoing anti-DEI campaign targeting prestigious universities and colleges. Kotlikoff explained that his decision followed a meeting with members of the student board that planned the concert. According to the university leader, the students agreed that their choice had 'compromised what is meant to be an inclusive event.' Kehlani, real name Kehlani Ashley Parrish, is an Oakland-born singer-songwriter who is signed to Atlantic Records. Signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation management firm last year, she has collaborated with artists such as Cardi B, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth and Chance the Rapper. An unapologetic pro-Palestinian supporter, the artist wore a jacket adorned with keffiyehs as dancers waved Palestinian flags in her 2024 music video 'Next 2 U,' which included the phrase 'Long live the intifada' in its introduction. The word 'intifada' translates into rebellion or uprising, which the ADL said is a slogan for 'indiscriminate violence against Israel.' But others consider it a cry for liberation and freedom. The 30-year-old 'Gangsta' star is scheduled to perform at the Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage concert on June 26 in Central Park. ______
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kehlani Responds to Cornell Concert Cancellation: ‘I Am Anti-Genocide'
Kehlani responded to Cornell University's decision to cancel her planned concert at the college over the singer's stance on the situation in Gaza. Earlier this week, Cornell president Michael I. Kotlikoff nixed Kehlani's May 7 concert during the university's annual Slope Day celebration, citing Kehlani's 'espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media.' More from Rolling Stone Cornell University Cancels Kehlani Concert Over Pro-Palestinian Remarks Snoop Dogg, Julien Baker, GloRilla, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week GloRilla, Kehlani Share Reflective Holiday Single 'Xmas Time' 'The selection of Kehlani as this year's headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,' Kotlikoff wrote to students. 'For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani's invitation.' On Saturday — amid 'attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations i've already experienced over the past year' — Kehlani responded to the Cornell situation and the allegations of antisemitic in a video posted on Instagram, 'I am not antisemitic nor am I anti-Jew.' 'I am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I'm anti the bombing of innocent children, men women… that's what I'm anti.' Kehlani noted that she was 'asked and called to clarify' the antisemitism allegations — which stem from the use of the phrase 'Long Live the Intifada' in the music video for 'Next 2 U' — and thus posted the video statement, which — as Kehlani noted — was made while 'in the presence of my Jewish and Palestinian best friend and my Jewish engineer.' The singer added in the caption of the Instagram post, 'If you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your zionism. don't make it anti-jew. this a played out game. all this because we want people to stop dying.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kehlani responds after Cornell cancels Slope Day concert and reaffirms pro-Palestinian stance
Kehlani has spoken publicly after Cornell University canceled her scheduled performance at its Slope Day concert, citing concerns over alleged 'antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.' Kehlani addressed the controversy directly in a video posted on her social media on April 26. Cornell originally announced on April 11 that Kehlani would headline the May 7 event, marking the first major headliner announcement since 2009. However, President Michael I. Kotlikoff informed students on April 23 that the singer's invitation was rescinded due to community concerns. In a statement, Kotlikoff noted that while artists have the right to express views, Slope Day should be a unifying event, and Kehlani's selection had sparked division. Responding to the cancellation, Kehlani rejected claims of antisemitism, clarifying her stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In her video, she stated: 'I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew. I am anti-genocide, anti-extermination of an entire people, and anti-bombing of innocent civilians.' She emphasized her ongoing collaboration with Jewish advocacy groups such as Jewish Voices for Peace and reaffirmed her opposition to the Israeli government's actions rather than Jewish communities. Kehlani expressed frustration at being repeatedly asked to clarify her position, suggesting such demands were attempts to silence her and impact her career. 'Here's the clarification that you needed, straight from my mouth,' she said. She also conveyed that she remains focused on her music and is continuing to work on her upcoming album. Kehlani reiterated her commitment to activism and marginalized communities, despite the controversy. The university is expected to announce a revised lineup for the 2025 Slope Day concert in the coming days.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Cornell cancels Kehlani performance over her stance on Gaza
Cornell University has dropped singer Kehlani from its annual Slope Day concert, citing concerns over her views on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The university's decision followed campus-wide backlash surrounding Kehlani's outspoken support for Palestinians, which some students and administrators viewed as divisive and antisemitic. In an April 23 email to the Cornell community, President Michael I. Kotlikoff said the singer's inclusion had 'injected division and discord' into what is intended to be a unifying campus event. Critics pointed to a 2024 music video in which Kehlani wore a kaffiyeh-adorned jacket and dancers waved Palestinian flags, with the phrase 'Long Live the Intifada' appearing on screen. Kotlikoff noted that the university had received 'grave concerns' from students and faculty regarding the singer's past public statements and social media posts. Criticism intensified following the announcement of the Slope Day lineup, particularly from Cornellians for Israel, a student group that claimed Kehlani's presence would marginalize Jewish and Zionist students. The group launched a petition and a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $28,500 to fund a replacement act. The decision also comes amid broader federal scrutiny of university responses to antisemitism. Earlier this month, the White House froze $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell as part of an investigation into alleged campus discrimination. Not all students agreed with the university's choice. Muna Mohamed, a senior and co-chair of Black Students United, said she was disappointed, describing the cancellation as a dismissal of inclusive representation for queer students and students of color. Kehlani has not publicly commented on the decision. In past interviews, she acknowledged the backlash she received over her stance on Gaza. No replacement has been named for the May 7 event, which now faces renewed scrutiny over inclusion and campus free speech.
New York Times
13-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Caution and Courage on Campus Speech
Image Credit... Rachel Stern for The New York Times To the Editor: Re 'Universities Like the One I Run Aren't Afraid to Let People Argue,' by Michael I. Kotlikoff, the president of Cornell (Opinion guest essay, March 31): As the father of a high school senior currently deciding where to attend college, I agreed with much of what Dr. Kotlikoff had to say. But I was troubled by what he didn't say. Right now, the greatest threat to academic freedom is the Trump administration. Foreign students are being detained and threatened with deportation for constitutionally protected speech. The independence of academic departments is being threatened by the White House. Universities are scrubbing their official documents of words the administration deems unacceptable. Defending free speech on campus while not calling this out by name can have only one explanation: fear. I sympathize. Putting your institution in this administration's cross hairs risks devastating punishment. But when those who ought to be the greatest defenders of intellectual freedom stay silent or address such threats obliquely, we should all be scared. When I was a college student, I got to live out the idyllic fantasy that elite schools have marketed for generations: stimulating classes, extracurriculars and lazy afternoons in the quad. My daughter might have a very different experience. Her school might face devastating budget cuts for daring to defy the president. She'll likely see research disrupted, graduate students' and professors' lives upended. She might witness international students being apprehended by masked law enforcement officers for speaking freely. I'm sorry she won't get my carefree experience. But I hope the leadership of her school shows her something far more valuable: courage. Michael Handelman Brooklyn To the Editor: Michael I. Kotlikoff's essay rang true to me — not as theory, but as lived experience. I was a Cornell undergraduate when Donald Trump was first elected in 2016. I sat in a class where a professor asked if any students were Republican. Nobody raised a hand. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
