The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has reportedly stripped Kanye West of his honorary degree.
“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. Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree,” SAIC said in a statement per ABC 7.
Ye continued to troll the Jewish community in a recent interview by constantly praising Adolf Hitler. The school took action after a petition received more than 4,000 signatures to strip Ye of his degree.
“[An honorary degree] bestows the legitimacy and luster of the School on a figure who has in recent months made repeated public statements expressing and justifying anti-Semitism,” the online petition continued. “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.”
Ye has not publicly reacted to the news.