Kanye West’s Honorary Degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Rescinded Over antisemitic remarks
PHOTO: PHIL VELASQUEZ/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE VIA GETTY
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has revoked Ye’s honorary degree, citing his recent “anti-Black, anti-Semitic, and incendiary statements,” according to CBS Chicago.
According to CBS Chicago, West received an honorary doctorate in 2015. “He has shown disturbing behaviors and made dangerous remarks that do not accord with our community values,” SAIC President Elissa Tenny stated in a statement originally reported by TMZ.
“[Kanye West’s] anti-Black, antisemitic, and incendiary statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities, are disgusting and condemnable,” Tenny wrote. “His words and actions have been painful for our entire community and, particularly, for those of us who feel that our identities and life experiences are under attack.”
Tenny said that the decision to revoke West’s degree was “a difficult one,” but that West’s behavior was ultimately “indefensible.”
West has been scolded in recent weeks for his persistent antisemitic statements, leading to the suspension of both his Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as the termination of his lucrative deal with Adidas and numerous other firms.
West attended a controversial dinner in November with far-right white nationalist Nick Fuentes and former President Donald Trump.
West came on Alex Jones’s InfoWars again last week, this time with Fuentes, when he proceeded to make anti-Semitic statements and even lauded Adolf Hitler.
“Against Hate at SAIC” received over 4,100 signatures on a change.org petition calling on the school to cancel West’s degree before announcing “victory” on Thursday.
“Friends, you did it. Kanye West’s honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute has been rescinded,” a statement on the change.org page read.
“This is a direct result of your voices: we want to thank every member of the SAIC community who signed, shared, commented, and used your voices to reach out to the School directly. YOU did it!”
