Chicago School Rescinds Ye’s Honorary Doctorate Over Antisemitism

CHICAGO (JNS) – The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) rescinded an honorary doctorate that it had awarded to Ye (formerly Kanye West), as the rapper continues to experience the fallout from his onslaught of antisemitic remarks.

SAIC officials stated Thursday that it “repudiates” Ye’s “anti-Black, antisemitic, racist, and dangerous statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

“Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree,” the school said, after a change.org petition had called on the institution’s president to take that action.

In October, Adidas terminated its partnership with Ye’s Yeezy brand, calling his antisemitic comments “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous.” Shortly thereafter, Forbes released a report that found Ye’s net worth had plummeted from $2 billion to $400 million. Additionally, the media company MRC scrapped its planned release of a Ye-themed documentary.

Ye, in an interview released Monday night, continued his pro-Nazi media tour.

“Jewish people can’t tell me who I can love and who I can’t love. You can’t force your pain on everyone else. Jewish people, forgive Hitler today,” Ye said in an interview released by Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes.