‘While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it,’ university president says
Cornell University canceled a planned performance by singer Kehlani following criticism of her views on Israel, which included calling supporters “scum of the earth” and demanding the end of the state of Israel.
President Michael Kotlikoff announced the decision this morning after meeting yesterday with student leaders, according to the Cornell Daily Sun. He previously had rejected calls to cancel the singer’s planned performance at the school’s “Slope Day,” an annual end of year celebration scheduled for May 7.
The university is currently facing a $1 billion federal funding freeze due to allegations it has not properly addressed antisemitism and racial discrimination on campus, as The College Fix recently reported.
“Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” President Kotlikoff wrote to the campus community. “For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation and expect a new lineup for a great 2025 Slope Day to be announced shortly.”
He wrote further:
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. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it.
“It’s f*** Israel, it’s f*** Zionism, and it’s also f*** a lot of y’all too,” she stated in a video last year.
Cornell for Israel posted a series of other comments Kehlani made in the past several years. The coalition group petitioned, successfully, for the singer’s cancellation.
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In one post, Kehlani referred to “Zionists” as the “scum of the earth.”
“DISMANTLE ISRAEL. ERADICATE ZIONISM,” she also wrote.
She also created a music video that included the message “Long live the intifada,” which refers to “a series of deadly terrorist campaigns, including suicide bombings, targeting Israeli civilians,” according to Cornell for Israel. She sings in the video in front of a Palestinian flag.
Kotlikoff said he hopes to revise the selection of performers in the future.
“I understand that my decision will be celebrated by some and criticized by others,” he said.
“I believe it is the right thing to do and the decision I must make to ensure community and safety at this high-profile event that reaches the entire campus,” the president stated. “Cornell is an institution where ‘any person can find instruction in any study,’ and where every person should feel included at the signature social event of the year.”
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IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Singer Kehlani in a music video; Kehlani/YouTube
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