The honorary degree of embattled rapper Kanye West has been annulled by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The college reportedly decided to cut ties with the rap star in the wake of his months-long hate speech rhetoric by taking back their honorary doctorate degree they gave him in 2015.
“The School of the Art Institute of Chicago condemns and repudiates Kanye West’s (now known as Ye) anti-Black, antisemitic, racist, and dangerous statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities,” SAIC officials said in a statement.
“Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree.”
Over the last few weeks, SAIC faced mounting pressure from their students, who started an online petition launched on change.org, demanding West’s degree be revoked.
The group garnered more than 4,100 signatures.
“In 2015 the School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded the artist Kanye West with an Honorary Doctorate,” the description of the petition reads.
“This award bestows the legitimacy and luster of the School on a figure who has in recent months has made repeated public statements expressing and justifying anti-semetism.
“Regardless of his contributions prior to receipt of this award, it is harmful to allow Ye, as he is presently known, to continue to use the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to help legitimize hatred and violence.”
Since early October, the Yeezy boss has been making headlines for his anti-Semitic outbursts on social media,
Last week, West praised Adolf Hitler, arguing that he saw “good things” about the former Nazi Germany leader in an interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
The same day, Elon Musk tweeted Ye’s Twitter account was suspended for violating the company’s rules against incitement to violence.
Ye also upset many people in the black community, by selling “White Lives Matter” T-shirts and suggesting that George Floyd died from fentanyl use, and not by force from former officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder after kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
Amid ongoing backlash for his controversial remarks, the 45-year-old businessman was dropped by both Adidas and Gap, among others.
Adidas has also launched an investigation into his conduct.
