U.S.
People Thought Columbia University Was Set to Host Segregated Graduations. Here’s What’s Really Happening
Published
4 weeks agoon
By
Cory Ray
- Fox News posted an article Tuesday saying Columbia University would host separate graduation ceremonies in the Spring of 2021 “based on income level, race, ethnicities.”
- The article became a trending Twitter topic as notable conservatives and everyday users expressed frustration over what they called “segregated” ceremonies.
- According to Columbia’s website, the six ceremonies are actually optional multicultural graduation events that are meant to complement its school- and university-wide ceremonies.
- In fact, these types of ceremonies are not new to universities and are largely understood as a way to celebrate student diversity.
Fox News Article Suggests Segregated Graduations
Columbia University trended online Tuesday morning after Fox News reported that the university was “hosting 6 separate graduation ceremonies based on income level, race, ethnicities.”
Those six ceremonies include graduations for “Native” students, LGBTQ+ students, Asian students, first-generation and low-income students, “Latinx” students, and Black students.
Almost immediately after publication on Fox, the news sparked outrage because many readers believed that Columbia was planning to implement a form of segregation.
“Columbia University really said ‘separate but equal’ I-” one person tweeted.
Columbia University really said “separate but equal” I- https://t.co/0MZ5tbH4Rc
— Sejanus Plinth (@hiLARRYous_217) March 16, 2021
A number of conservatives have also now lobbed criticism against Columbia.
“Congratulations are in order for liberals and @Columbia University for successfully bringing segregation back by packaging it as “diversity inclusion,” political commentator Candace Owens tweeted. “Just one question: which ceremony do bi-racial children attend?”
Congratulations are in order for liberals and @Columbia University for successfully bringing segregation back by packaging it as “diversity inclusion”.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 16, 2021
Just one question: which ceremony do bi-racial children attend? https://t.co/WQL6aAXbmV
The endpoint of critical race theory: segregation. https://t.co/KhmKwuXEK3
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 16, 2021
All Is Not What It Seems
As Fox News notes in the body of its article, “The university is also hosting what appears to be a more general commencement ceremony on April 30.”
However, the evidence in Columbia’s favor is more defined than simply “appears to be.” In fact, Columbia’s website notes that the April 30 commencement is for “all eligible April, May, and June 2021 degree candidates.”
In addition to that, each school at the university will also have its own graduation ceremonies.
As noted on another page of Columbia’s website, the six multicultural graduations in question are meant to “[complement] our school- and University-wide ceremonies.”
The website goes on to describe the ceremonies as events meant to “provide a more intimate setting for students and guests to gather, incorporate meaningful cultural traditions and celebrate the specific contributions and achievements of their communities.”
In other words, they’re completely optional.
On top of that, they’re being organized directly by the university’s Multicultural Affairs department, along with student organizations and alumni groups.
Criticism Shifts To Fox Coverage
Many have pushed back against Fox’s presentation of the news and the idea that Columbia is instituting segregated graduations.
As some noted, these types of graduations occur annually at numerous universities across the country.
Re: Columbia University’s graduation ceremonies for different ethnic groups:
— Spencer Clawson (@SpencerClawson) March 16, 2021
Every school has their own graduation ceremonies. The ones for Black, Asian, etc. students are optional celebrations for those groups. No one is being segregated. This has been a thing for years.
A quick search around Columbia University's website shows that those separate ceremonies are literally organized and supported by alumni groups and student organizations to get the recognition they deserve. Columbia has a main ceremony that includes everyone. Stop the bullshit. pic.twitter.com/HmFcWuzyQK
— Tia Landry (@tia_ms17) March 16, 2021
“This is ridiculously misleading and yet another attempt by conservatives to fabricate outrage through half-truths, lies, and innuendo,” one person said of the article.
“When I was in the closet and not yet ready to come out as a trans woman, the Lavender Graduation ceremony offered by Georgetown in 2016 allowed me to safely be with LGBTQ folks as we reflected on this chapter in our lives,” she added. “And then, I went to the main graduation ceremony.”
Like every college or university, Columbia has their primary graduation ceremony, where all the traditional things happen: formal commencement, degree conferral, etc. This is for all students graduating from Columbia. This is the ceremony you expect. The big show.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) March 16, 2021
This was particularly important for me because for someone without a family, it offered that sense of family and belonging. Also: as a first gen college student myself, I *love* that there are now ceremonies where students + families can reflect on that particular experience.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) March 16, 2021
With that context in mind, some have since walked back their initial criticism after having been tricked by Fox’s headline.
Oooo apparently they’re optional. I’ve never heard of these before but if the students like it then great. Still find it a bit weird but 🤷🏾♂️
— Sejanus Plinth (@hiLARRYous_217) March 16, 2021
See what others are saying: (Fox News) (USA Today)
U.S.
Florida Appeals Court Grants Officers Involved in Shootings Privacy Protections Under Marsy’s Law
Published
3 days agoon
April 7, 2021
- A Florida appeals court sided with a local police union Tuesday, ruling that a state constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law can shield the identities of officers who shoot suspects if the officers are threatened during those incidents — an argument often made in police shootings.
- Marsy’s Law grants privacy protections to victims of crimes, and a trial court previously sided with the city of Tallahassee and media, saying it could not interpret the law “to shield police officers from public scrutiny of their official actions.”
- Lawyers representing the media called the new ruling a “setback for police accountability.”
- The appeals court, however, argued that privacy protections would not stop an internal affairs investigation, grand jury proceedings, or stop a state attorney from later deciding that an officer was not a victim in a specific case.
Case That Lead To Appeals Court Ruling
Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeals unanimously decided Tuesday that municipalities cannot make the names of officers who shoot citizens public if the officers themselves were crime victims.
According to Axios, that is almost always the argued case in police shootings.
The ruling stems from a case involving two Tallahassee officers who fatally shot a suspect in separate incidents. Florida’s Police Benevolent Association, the police union representing the two officers, argued in a lawsuit that the city shouldn’t release any information that would personally identify them as the shooters.
They cited Florida’s 2018 constitution amendment, called Marsy’s Law, which grants privacy rights to crime victims. They argued that the amendment applied to these officers because they were allegedly threatened in these use-of-force incidents.
The city and news media, however, argued that the documents identifying the two officers were public records under the Florida constitution. They also argued that officers acting in their official capacities cannot be victims.
The trial court had sided with the city and media, saying that the court “cannot interpret Marsy’s Law to shield police officers from public scrutiny of their official actions.”
It also added that the language of the law was not intended to apply to officers acting in their official capacity.
The police union appealed that ruling and the three-judge panel of the appeals court unanimously sided with the officers, saying that Marsay’s Law does not exclude “law enforcement officers … from the protections granted crime victims.”
Because of this, the judges said an officer who is a victim has the right to keep confidential, “information or records that could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim’s family, or which could disclose confidential or privileged information of the victim.”
What Does This Mean for Police Accountability?
The judges said that keeping an officer’s identity private wouldn’t stop an internal affairs investigation or a grand jury proceeding. It also wouldn’t stop a state attorney from later deciding the officer was not a victim and bringing charges.
Still, a lawyer representing media organization issued a statement criticizing the ruling.
“Today’s decision was an unfortunate setback for police accountability. We respectfully disagree with the court’s reasoning and are considering our options,” Tampa lawyer Mark Caramanica said in a prepared statement.
See what others are saying: (News4) (Tampa Bay Times) (RawStory)
U.S.
Minneapolis Police Chief Testifies Against Derek Chauvin
Published
4 days agoon
April 6, 2021By
Lili Stenn
- In a highly unusual move, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo on Monday testified against former officer Derek Chauvin, who faces murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd.
- In his testimony, Chief Arradondo said that Chauvin violated a number of departmental policies when he kneeled on Floyd’s neck, including rules on reasonable force, neck restraints, non-violent de-escalation, and rendering aid.
- Arradondo is now the highest-ranking public safety official to testify in the trial. It is rare for a police chief to take the witness stand against a fellow officer.
- Experts said his testimony underscores the difficulty Chauvin’s defense will have in persuading the jury he did his job before, during, and after he kneeled on Floyd’s neck.
Chief Arradondo Testimony
The second week of the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck, began Monday with a rare testimony from Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
It is unusual for a police chief to take the witness stand against a fellow officer and even more unusual for one to offer such sharp rebukes of a former employee.
In his testimony, Arradondo said Chauvin violated several departmental policies when he kneeled on Floyd’s neck.
The most important part of the testimony came from Arradondo’s remarks on defensive tactics and reasonable force. When shown a picture of Chauvin using the neck restrain on Floyd and asked by prosecutors if that was part of the department’s training, the chief said it was not.
“A conscious neck restraint by policy mentions light to moderate pressure,” he said. “When I look [at the picture], when I look at the facial expression of Mr. Floyd, that does not appear in any way, shape, or form that that is light to moderate pressure.”
“I absolutely agree that violates our policy,” he added.
Arradondo also noted that in order for use of force to be considered reasonable, it has to be applied throughout the entire encounter and a number of factors need to be taken into account, including the threat to the officer and others.
“There’s an initial reasonableness in trying to just get him under control in the first few seconds,” he said. “But once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back, that in no way, shape, or form is anything that is by policy, it is not part of our training, and it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values.”
Ongoing Trial
Chief Arradondo is now the highest-ranking public safety officer to testify against Chauvin.
His testimony emphasizes the attempts of law enforcement officials to distance themselves from the former officer’s actions. As The New York Times wrote, the chief’s testimony “underscored the difficulty that Mr. Chauvin and his lawyers will have in persuading the jury that the officer was just doing his job when he pinned Mr. Floyd to the ground with his knee for more than nine minutes last May.”
That point is especially notable because in his questioning of Arradondo, Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson, focused on the claim that the police department’s policies gave officers some room to determine the reasonableness of the use of force on a case-by-case basis, which the chief agreed with.
Still, in addition to holding firm that Chauvin did not use reasonable force in this case, Arradondo also emphasized that Chauvin violated department procedures on a number of policies. . For example, he noted that the former officer went against policies for non-violent de-escalation and rendering first aid, which the officers involved failed to give after detecting that Floyd did not have a pulse.
See what others are saying: (The New York Times) (NBC News) (The Minneapolis Star Tribune)
U.S.
Students Watched Footage of George Floyd’s Death for Assignment on Derek Chauvin’s Trial
Published
5 days agoon
April 5, 2021
- As part of a class assignment, freshman students at a Texas high school were required to act as jurors in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is currently facing murder charges over his role in the death of George Floyd.
- Parents complained about the assignment, which involved their children watching graphic footage of Floyd’s encounter with police, watching 45 minutes of Chauvin’s trial each day, and not being allowed to discuss the case with anyone for at least six weeks.
- In a letter to the school, parents said, “This murder seen by millions around the globe was triggering and traumatizing for adults. Yet, you left students to handle their own emotions and mental health as they left your class, without proper and professional support.”
- The school’s principal agreed that the assignment was not age-appropriate, and the district said the unapproved lesson has been removed.
Class Assignment Sparks Outrage
A Texas high school is facing criticism from parents over a class assignment regarding the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd— a death that sparked worldwide protests and discussion about racism and police brutality.
A teacher at Cedar High School in Dallas reportedly assigned their freshman students to watch the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is facing second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter charges after kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe.
Watching that trial meant the children also had to see graphic images and footage of the incident.
According to parents, the teacher never asked for their consent to carry out such an assignment. Parents, however, eventually learned about what was going on and wrote to the school, arguing that the trial could impact the mental health of their 14 and 15-year-old children.
“It is unfathomable to me that you felt it appropriate to force my child to watch George Floyd’s murder on television in your classroom and then move on with his day as if nothing had happened,” the letter to the school read, according to a local ABC station.
“This murder seen by millions around the globe was triggering and traumatizing for adults. Yet, you left students to handle their own emotions and mental health as they left your class, without proper and professional support.”
School Responds
The teacher, who has not been named, responded to the parental complaints with an outline of the project. That breakdown laid out plans for students to watch the trial for about 45 minutes each day because they would be “acting as actual jurors in the trial.”
“Therefore, every day, your child will be attentive to the actual trial, listening and paying attention to the evidence of both sides, defense and prosecution, during the trial,” the teacher explained.
The teacher’s memo even said the students were not allowed to speak with anyone about the case for at least six weeks, adding, “They may not text discuss what they hear with friends, siblings, or relatives – not even the family dog.”
In response to the growing outrage, Cedar Hill Independent School District officials issued a statement saying they were aware of the assignment.
“The assignment was not approved by campus or district administrators,” the school district told ABC News. “The matter has been addressed with the teacher, and the assignment was removed.”
In a separate response to parents, Cedar High School Principal Jason Miller wrote, “I don’t feel that viewing and discussing this case in school is age-appropriate for scholars.”
See what others are saying: (ABC News) (Insider) (WFAA)

Matt Gaetz Reportedly Venmo’d Accused Sex Trafficker, Who Then Sent Money To Teen

Netflix Strikes Deal for Rights To Sony Movies Following Theatrical Releases. Yes, That Includes Spider-Man.

Greta Thunberg To Skip U.N. Climate Change Conference, Citing Vaccine Inequality

What The Khloe Kardashian Leaks Really Expose, PewDiePie, MrBeast, COVID Scammers, Biden & More News

Biden Announces Executive Actions on Gun Violence

Japan To Explore Plans for Releasing Fukushima Power Plant Water Into Ocean

United Airlines Dispels Complaints That Safety Will Be Compromised By New Pilot Diversity Initiative

Restaurants Across America Face Ketchup Packet Shortage

Regé-Jean Page Seemingly Reacts To Reports That He Was Not Cast as Superman’s Grandfather Because He Is Black

I Lied BUT I Can Explain… Valkyrae, Pokimane, America’s Religion “Problem”, & More News

Chile’s Government Gave Out Faulty Birth Control. Now At Least 150 Women Are Pregnant

Mia Khalifa Shuts Down Death Rumors, Sparks Conversations About Plastic Surgery and Adult Film Industry

Cosplay Instagram Star Belle Delphine Trolls Followers With PornHub Account

Instagram Users Tell Skai Jackson to Stop Posting About Cameron Boyce

Billie Eilish Fans Call Out Twitter User for Sexualizing the Underage Singer

Ace Family’s Austin McBroom and Team Accused of Rape

YouTuber MrBeast Responds to Criticism of Massive Tree Planting Project

Man Kills 17-Year-Old Bianca Devins and Posts Photos Online

Joe Rogan Denies Spotify Censorship Rumors, According to Alex Jones

Netflix Apologizes and Changes Marketing Materials for “Cuties” After Backlash

YouTuber Coffee Break Accuses Kurzgesagt of Being Untrustworthy, Founder Responds

Why Twitter Tried to Cancel Lil Nas X

What The Khloe Kardashian Leaks Really Expose, PewDiePie, MrBeast, COVID Scammers, Biden & More News

I Lied BUT I Can Explain… Valkyrae, Pokimane, America’s Religion “Problem”, & More News

WOW! Stokes Twins Exposed After Disgusting Prank, Lil Nas X Hit, Wasted Vaccines, NFTS, & More News

What The Trisha Paytas James Charles Controversy Exposes, PizzaGaetz, Biden Infrastructure News

PLEASE YOUTUBE DON’T DO THIS!… More James Charles Accusations, Vaccine Passports, & More News

WOW! Lil Nas X Exposed, Montero, Satan Shoes, David Dobrik Fallout, Derek Chauvin Trial, & More News

WHO IS LYING?! Viral Cinnamon Toast Crunch Saga Goes Very Very Wrong, Cody Ko, Liza Koshy, & More

What David Dobrik’s New Apology Exposed, We Need To Talk About Colorado, 03/22/21, & More News

WOW! The David Dobrik Scandal just got Worse, Jeff Wittek Exposes Himself, Krispy Kreme Vaccines, &

What The Zack Snyder Justice League Controversy Really Exposes & Review, ACE Family, Utah Ban, &

Let’s Talk New Disgusting David Dobrik Durte Dom Accusations & This Horrifying Situation in Georgia

David Dobrik Breaks Silence on Vlog Squad Misconduct and Sexual Assault Allegations

David Dobrik Leaves Dispo, Loses Sponsors Following Vlog Squad Rape Allegations

Khloe Kardashian Sparks Conversation About Beauty Standards After Unapproved Bikini Photo Circulates Online

Mother Arrested for Making Deepfakes of Daughter’s Cheer Squad Rivals

Lil Nas X Responds To Outrage Over New Music Video and Satan Sneakers: “i hope u are mad”

Suspect Charged With Murder After Killing 8 in Atlanta Spa Shooting Spree

New Streaming Metrics Highlight Staggering Gap Between Male and Female Gamers

Asian Woman Attacked in San Francisco To Donate All Funds Raised for Her

New Healthcare Benefits Available To Tens of Millions of Americans Starting April 1

[Updated] NCAA Called Out for Disparities Between Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament Accommodations

Celebrities Join Michelle Obama To Support Sweeping Voting Rights Bill

Matt Gaetz Reportedly Venmo’d Accused Sex Trafficker, Who Then Sent Money To Teen

Netflix Strikes Deal for Rights To Sony Movies Following Theatrical Releases. Yes, That Includes Spider-Man.

Greta Thunberg To Skip U.N. Climate Change Conference, Citing Vaccine Inequality

What The Khloe Kardashian Leaks Really Expose, PewDiePie, MrBeast, COVID Scammers, Biden & More News

Biden Announces Executive Actions on Gun Violence

Japan To Explore Plans for Releasing Fukushima Power Plant Water Into Ocean

United Airlines Dispels Complaints That Safety Will Be Compromised By New Pilot Diversity Initiative

Restaurants Across America Face Ketchup Packet Shortage

Regé-Jean Page Seemingly Reacts To Reports That He Was Not Cast as Superman’s Grandfather Because He Is Black

I Lied BUT I Can Explain… Valkyrae, Pokimane, America’s Religion “Problem”, & More News

Chile’s Government Gave Out Faulty Birth Control. Now At Least 150 Women Are Pregnant

What The Khloe Kardashian Leaks Really Expose, PewDiePie, MrBeast, COVID Scammers, Biden & More News

I Lied BUT I Can Explain… Valkyrae, Pokimane, America’s Religion “Problem”, & More News

WOW! Stokes Twins Exposed After Disgusting Prank, Lil Nas X Hit, Wasted Vaccines, NFTS, & More News

What The Trisha Paytas James Charles Controversy Exposes, PizzaGaetz, Biden Infrastructure News

PLEASE YOUTUBE DON’T DO THIS!… More James Charles Accusations, Vaccine Passports, & More News

WOW! Lil Nas X Exposed, Montero, Satan Shoes, David Dobrik Fallout, Derek Chauvin Trial, & More News

WHO IS LYING?! Viral Cinnamon Toast Crunch Saga Goes Very Very Wrong, Cody Ko, Liza Koshy, & More

What David Dobrik’s New Apology Exposed, We Need To Talk About Colorado, 03/22/21, & More News

WOW! The David Dobrik Scandal just got Worse, Jeff Wittek Exposes Himself, Krispy Kreme Vaccines, &

What The Zack Snyder Justice League Controversy Really Exposes & Review, ACE Family, Utah Ban, &
