Duke University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday presided over both a celebration of academic achievements and became a stage for political expression, as dozens of students, in a concerted act of protest, walked out in the midst of festivities to vocalize their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The cause of their departure: the presence and participation of famed comedian Jerry Seinfeld, an outspoken supporter of Israel, particularly during the sustained tensions in Gaza.
Clad in academic regalia, figures emerged from within the assembly of graduates on the field of the university’s football stadium, brandishing Palestinian flags, the potent symbols unfurling against the backdrop of an occasion traditionally marked by unity and collective purpose. The quiet rustle of gowns accompanied by the chant “free Palestine” contrasted sharply with the jovial atmosphere typically associated with commencement ceremonies.
The wave of exit was not confined to the field alone. Several attendees vacated the viewing stands in a parallel display of solidarity, with at least one individual donning a keffiyeh—the checkered scarf that has transcended its origins to become a symbol of support for Palestinian nationalism and resistance. This mirrored walkout pointed to the breadth of sentiment present at Duke, extending beyond the graduating cohort to their supporters in attendance.
Those who remained within the stadium expressed a differing sentiment, their cheers of “Jerry! Jerry!” forming a vocal counterpoint to the departing protesters. The actor-comedian, also the recipient of an honorary degree, proceeded with his address to the class of 2023, facing the dichotomy of reception with humor and poise.
Seinfeld’s speech was punctuated by an acknowledgment of the controversy his invitation had sparked. “A lot of you are thinking, ‘I can’t believe they invited this guy.’ Too late,” he quipped, before pivoting to a broader reflection on privilege—a term freshly laden with implications of both opportunity and societal division. “I say, use your privilege. I grew up a Jewish boy from New York. That is a privilege if you want to be a comedian,” Seinfeld remarked, gesturing to his own lived experience as an underpinning for his successful career in humor.
Duke University, mindful of the delicate interplay between the celebration of academic accomplishments and the weighty discourse of international affairs, addressed the protest through its spokesperson, Frank Tramble. “We understand the depth of feeling in our community, and as we have all year, we respect the right of everyone at Duke to express their views peacefully, without preventing graduates and their families from celebrating their achievement,” Tramble stated. This acknowledged the institution’s commitment to upholding a culture of open dialogue and peaceful protest.
The Complexity of the Situation
The student-led walkout at Duke University is emblematic of a larger narrative playing out across university campuses and beyond—a narrative that encapsulates the complexities of geopolitical conflicts, their resonance within the microcosm of academic settings, and the increasingly global conscience of the student body.
Higher education institutions are no strangers to such manifestations of activism, historically serving as crucibles for dissent and discourse. The act of protest, juxtaposed against the backdrop of commemoration, demonstrates the ongoing negotiation between traditional academic ceremony and the impetus to acknowledge pressing social issues.
The departure of these students and supporters at Duke captures a moment of heightened political consciousness and agency. It aligns with the principles of academic freedom and the university’s role as a platform for robust civic engagement.
Amid the grandeur of the event, complete with the pomp and circumstance customary of commencement, the outgoing graduates of Duke University encountered a vivid illustration of their newfound responsibility as global citizens. They were reminded, perhaps abruptly, that even as they step into promising futures of individual endeavor, the realities of collective human experience and inequality continue unabated and call for engagement and response.
The dual note on which the day ended served as a potent symbol of our times: the march of academic procession and the equally deliberate stride of protesters ascending the aisles. It is within this juxtaposition that a generation emerges from the halls of academia, equipped not just with knowledge, but also with a heightened awareness of the intricacies and responsibilities inherent in the preservation of justice and equity worldwide.
As graduates traverse the threshold from the cloisters of Duke University into the unscripted and often tumultuous landscape of the world beyond, the events of this commencement will likely resonate as a powerful reminder that education, in its most impactful form, imbues not only capability but also conscience.
