Nearly two weeks after Cornell announced that Kehlani would headline this year’s Slope Day, students woke up to an email from President Kotlikoff: Her invitation to perform had been rescinded, citing antisemitism.
Although many students are now concerned with how — or even if — a new Slope Day headliner will be selected in the next three weeks, Kotlikoff’s decision to walk back on Kehlani’s performance signals a much deeper and troubling concern — rearing its head far longer than Kehlani has been part of the discussion: We are watching the dissolve of sincerity in campus leadership, and Kotlikoff is at the helm.
In his 10 a.m. email, Kotlikoff expressed regret over the “division and discord” Kehlani’s invitation had caused on campus. But that regret rings hollow; Kotlikoff has been injecting “division and discord” into campus since day one.
Last April, Kotlikoff supported a University-backed invitation to conservative firebrand Ann Coulter. Although he claimed to disagree with much of what Coulter had to say in her talk, titled “Immigration: The Conspiracy To End America,” he cited her First Amendment rights and maintained that it was important to give a platform to all opinions, even those we disagree with. Those opinions, you may ask:
“It would be a much better country if women did not vote.”
“Why don’t you go back to your own country?” (Directed at former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, a born and raised American citizen.)
She also called former presidential candidate John Edwards the f-slur.
Did the outrage and hurt following the University’s decision to give Coulter a platform not qualify as “division and discord” on campus? By whatever definition Kotlikoff uses, I guess not.
Following Coulter’s talk, when asked whether he’d support a white nationalist or neo-Nazi speaking at Cornell, he said yes — because free speech is “that important.” This was an insult to every person on campus who is not a straight white man, and even some of them were upset.
It seems free speech isnt “that important” anymore. Now, a Black queer woman scheduled to sing — not speak — is deemed too controversial. Kehlani’s platform, we’re told, is unacceptable. And the students who chose her are overruled.
Let’s be clear: This is not about deeming one figure more problematic than the other or advocating for antisemitism; it is about calling out blatant hypocrisy. In 2024, Kotlikoff welcomed a white woman with a slew of violent, sexist, and racist remarks under her belt to our campus to talk about politics. A year later, he barred a black woman — the first to headline Slope Day in person — who would have been on campus to sing, not discuss politics.
The University stood by Coulter’s invitation despite student outcry, arguing that Cornell supports the exchange of ideas. When faced with backlash over the Grammy-nominated artist, it folded. What message does that send? That Cornell protects racism, sexism and xenophobia under free speech, but draws the line at anti-Zionism; that the First Amendment is good enough for a bigoted white woman, but not good enough for Kehlani.
Free speech cannot be cherry-picked. If we choose to platform controversial figures, we must do so consistently. Otherwise, it’s not free expression — it’s selective approval.
How foolish of Kotlikoff to voice regret for welcoming “division and discord” to campus. Division and discord are his whole modus operandi. Whatever semblance of a backbone Kotlikoff may have had is officially floating around the void with the unity and agreement he seems to think he’s restored on campus by picking and choosing which politics to sponsor.
Welcome to the Ivy League in 2025: Harvard is suing the Trump administration to protect the First Amendment, and Cornell uses it to give Ann Coulter a stage and shove Kehlani off hers.
Grace Elmore is a senior writer and English major in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is involved in many avenues of the Cornell community and holds a great deal of care and respect for her fellow students. Comments can be sent to gelmore@cornellsun.com.
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