USC leaders condemn ‘vile’ promotion of Kamala Harris ‘roast,’ but defend free speech
Top University of South Carolina officials on Tuesday condemned “the vile and juvenile rhetoric” used to promote an event next month on campus that will feature two far-right, controversial figures.
USC’s student chapter of Uncensored America, an organization that claims to be a nonpartisan, nonprofit fighting for freedom of speech, is hosting a “roast” of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, at the Russell House on Sept. 18.
The “roastmasters” are Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos, both of whom have histories of public, hateful rhetoric.
“We do not know what the speakers plan to say during the event, but they have used vulgar language in promotional material and they have said troubling and offensive things in the past,” the statement read. “We condemn the vile and juvenile rhetoric used to promote this event.”
McInnes, a writer and talk show host, is a founder the Proud Boys, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a hate group. He resigned from the group in 2018, Reuters reported, but remains deeply involved. He described himself as a “western chauvinist in a
Yiannopoulos, a right-wing media personality once nicknamed the “pop star of hate,” is known for his misogynistic, racist, xenophobic and transphobic views.
USC officials have said that as a public university, it is required to allow the event, citing students’ freedom of speech and open dialogue. But Amiridis and Westbrook wrote that it is not endorsed by USC.
“We remain steadfast in safeguarding the First Amendment rights of our students, even when we may be offended by their choices and statements,” Amiridis and Westbrook wrote. “Censoring even the most hateful individuals and groups does not solve the problems we face in our society, and instead provides them with a platform to win more publicity and support.”
The event has upset many people at the university and in Columbia since it was announced last week.
“Yeah @UofSC this is what we not doing,” prominent South Carolina lawyer and USC alum Bakari Sellers posted on X. “Your excuse is lame. I expect some accountability on this asap.”
State Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Richland, replied to Seller’s post, calling the event unacceptable.
It also caught criticism from the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.
“I want to express our profound outrage and deep concern,” state Rep. Ivory Thigpen, D-Richland and caucus chair said in a statement. Thigpen said the caucus opposes providing a platform to promote hatred, division and violence, and asked that the university reconsider hosting the event.
“While we fully support the First Amendment, this event poses serious risks by exposing students to hate speech and creating a hostile environment—something we cannot remain silent about,” Thigpen said. “In a state that lacks a hate crimes law, supporting events that disrespect our current Executive Branch leaders sends the wrong message to students and all South Carolinians.”
A petition, created on Sunday by USC alumna and longtime campus activist Courtney McClain, had gained more than 6,700 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. It calls for the relocation or cancellation of the event to ensure marginalized students feel safe and welcomed at the university.
“The values espoused by both speakers, including the Founder of the Proud Boys organization and another individual with a history of making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, are not in alignment with the values outlined in the Carolinian Creed,” the petition read. “Their discriminatory views directly target the diverse minority population of students and alumni at USC, a community that the university takes great pride in.”
The Carolinian Creed, established as a statement of the university’s values in 1990, asks community members to respect the “dignity of all persons” and “discourage bigotry.”
Jokata Eaddy, a 2001 USC graduate and the first Black woman elected as the university’s student body president, also took to social media to express her disappointment.
“I love (USC) - I spent my best days there, but there is absolutely no excuse for the University to approve a program rooted in sexism,” Eaddy wrote. “If you allow this program - what does it say to every young woman on campus? This is sexist, violates the Carolina Creed and everything good and decent about my beloved USC.”
This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 6:39 PM.
