Tupac Superfan Fired As Iowa’s Department of Human Services Director After Repeatedly Sending Emails W/ Late Rapper’s Lyrics & Photos
Tupac Superfan Fired As Iowa’s Department of Human Services Director After Repeatedly Sending Emails W/ Late Rapper’s Lyrics & Photos
Jerry Foxhoven, the now-former Department of Human Services Director in Iowa, is without a job after he sent dozens of emails to his subordinates saluting rapper Tupac. It hasn’t been confirmed whether his emails and support for Tupac are what got him fired, but either way, he wasn’t ashamed to stan for the late rapper.
Emails obtained show that he sent an email to the 4,300 agency workers despite one filing a complaint with lawmakers. His final email sent on June 16, had a huge photo of Tupac smiling to celebrate the rapper’s birthday and Foxhoven’s two-year anniversary with the department. He saluted the workers for a job well done and said he used a quote from Tupac to break stereotypes about rap music.
“Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back, it simply means that you are 2 steps ahead.”
Interestingly enough, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds told him to resign the following workday, causing some workers to think it was because of the final email.
Pat Garrett, spokesman for Governor Reynolds, wouldn’t confirm or deny the speculation.
“As the governor has said, a lot of factors contributed to the resignation of Jerry Foxhoven and now Gov. Reynolds is looking forward to taking DHS in a new direction.”
Foxhoven sent a text that said he doesn’t think his Tupac fandemonium was a reason he was told to resign. He said he believes the governor wanted to take the department in another direction before his fateful email.
During his two years with the department, Foxhoven unapologetically hosted “Tupac Fridays” each week that featured Tupac songs. He also shared lyrics with workers and went as far as having “Thug Life” cookies for his 65th birthday. He recognized the anniversary of Tupac’s death and emailed lyrics about love on Valentine’s Day. He also shared Tupac-inspired lyrics “it’s time for us as a people to start makin’ some changes” in an effort to improve the office culture.
One employee previously told Foxhoven,
“I love your 2pac messages… and the fact that you still send them (despite the haters) makes me appreciate them even more.”
Foxhoven responded,
“I agree totally. I am going to hang in there on him — despite all of the naysayers.”
Your thoughts?
Source: AP News