Kanye Loses Honorary Degree From School of the Art Institute Chicago Following Controversial Remarks: His Anti-Black, Antisemitic, And Incendiary Statements Are Disgusting And Condemnable

Kanye West Loses Honorary Degree From School of the Art Institute Chicago Following Controversial Remarks: His Anti-Black, Antisemitic, And Incendiary Statements Are Disgusting And Condemnable

Kanye West has lost yet another accolade following his antisemitic remarks.

The rapper and fashion designer’s honorary degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been withdrawn, joining the list of acquaintances and endorsement deals that have fallen off because of his controversial remarks.

According to institute president Elissa Tenny,

“[Kanye West’s] anti-Black, antisemitic, and incendiary statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities, are disgusting and condemnable.”

The letter added,

“As a community, we know that there are varying opinions on what our School’s response should be––even as we all agree that his behavior is indefensible.”

Photo via TMZ

The move marks the first time in the institute’s 80-year history that a degree of its kind has been revoked.

Kanye West received an honorary degree for his achievements and services to art and culture back in 2015. Fast forward to 2022, the president claimed the DONDA artist’s actions no longer adhere to SAIC’s mission and ideals.

An online petition to obtain the honorary credential was purportedly established by SAIC students, garnering over 4,000 signatures.

Since October, the rapper has drawn attention for his anti-Semitic comments on social media, including a since-deleted tweet in which he threatened to go “death con 3” on Jews.

Additionally, he promoted the sale of “White Lives Matter” t-shirts and claimed that George Floyd died from fentanyl use rather than from the force of now-convicted ex-officer Derek Chauvin.

During an interview on Alex Jones‘ InfoWars just last week, Kanye West said,

“I don’t like the word ‘evil’ next to Nazis. I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis. … I do love Hitler. I do love the Zionists.”

The termination of several lucrative his endorsements deals, including with Adidas, has knocked the rapper from Forbes’ list of billionaires.

What are your thoughts on the entire situation? Let us know in the comments!

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