Large numbers of students walked out of Duke University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday to protest Israel’s war in Gaza, as did the university’s commencement speaker, Jerry Seinfeldwas ready to speak.
Videos posted to social media – but omitted from the university’s livestream – showed students walking out as Duke President Vincent Price introduced the comedian, who received an honorary doctorate. Other students broke out into double jeers and cheers of “Jerry!” »
Student walkout at Duke University commencement as Jerry Seinfeld’s speech is announced. its introduction by the university president is drowned out by chants of “free and free Palestine” ❤️🔥🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/oNLesaput3
– the great clown snorman (@iamschvitzing) May 12, 2024
Seinfeld’s speech largely avoided his recent public fights, instead focusing on jokes surrounding students, AI and his honorary degree. However, in a riff on the idea of privilege, he made specific mention of his heritage to loud cheers.
“I grew up a Jewish boy from New York,” Seinfeld said. “It’s a privilege if you want to be an actor.”
Seinfeld has been unusually controversial in recent weeks since his film’s release on Netflix. Not frosted. He claimed The New Yorker last month, that “the far left and PC bullshit” have killed comedy on television, despite various comedies being broadcast on television since his last cited example…All in the family— debuted in 1979. While right-wing commentators like Elon Musk and Sean Hannity praised his comments, comedians and television critics largely viewed them as out of touch with reality.
His public comments on Israel’s war in Gaza have also sparked conflict due to their ambiguity, particularly from a traditionally apolitical comedian who is vehemently opposed to discussing important topics. Seinfeld has posted publicly several times since the Oct. 7 attack about his support for Israel, visiting a kibbutz in December to meet the hostages’ families and explaining how he had to seek shelter during a missile attack. His wife, Jessica, also publicly confirmed that she had financed pro-Israel counter-protests on college campuses.
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