More than 20 USC student groups object to ‘hurtful’ Kamala Harris roast on campus

Alexa Jurado
·5 min read

Multicultural student groups at the University of South Carolina are banding together against a “roast” of Vice President Kamala Harris that will feature two far-right personalities with a history of hateful public rhetoric.

“We stand united against any and all forms of racism and injustice,” the university’s chapter of the NAACP wrote on Instagram.

Uncensored America, a student organization that claims to be a nonpartisan, nonprofit fighting for freedom of speech, is hosting a “roast” of Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, at the Russell House on Sept. 18. The event will be hosted by Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos.

McInnes, a writer and talk show host, is a founder of 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. Yiannopoulos, a right-wing media personality once nicknamed the “pop star of hate,” is known for his misogynistic, racist, xenophobic and transphobic views.

Besides the NAACP, more than 20 student groups have signed a statement against the Uncensored America event, calling it “hurtful” to USC’s student body.

“As students and leaders at the University of South Carolina, we are disheartened by the university’s consent in allowing a platform for individuals who peddle hate speech and conspiracies that promote violence against our communities,” the statement read.

The student groups are:

  • Association of African American Students

  • Individuals Respecting Identities and Sexualities

  • University of South Carolina Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

  • The Asian and Pacific Islander Activism Association

  • Caribbean Appreciation Student Alliance

  • Korean Student Association

  • Black Medical Student Association

  • Filipino American Student Association

  • University of South Carolina Columbia Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers

  • University of South Carolina Columbia Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists

  • Pan-African Student Association

  • Every Black Girl Club Inc.

  • The Minority Association of Pre-Health at the University of South Carolina

  • Melanin Movement

  • Brothers of Nubian Descent

  • National Pan-Hellenic Council at the University of South Carolina

  • Black Capstone Caucus

  • Black and Abroad Gamecocks

  • Black Honors Caucus

  • The Black Business Student Association

  • The Iota Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega

The groups cited the Carolinian Creed, established as a statement of the university’s values in 1990, which asks community members to respect the “dignity of all persons” and “discourage bigotry.”

“We are hopeful and ask the University of South Carolina to be committed to taking meaningful action to ensure that our campus environment truly reflects the values of the Carolinian Creed,” the statement read. “This is a time for us to reaffirm our dedication to these principles and work together to create a supportive and inclusive community for all.”

A university spokesman declined to comment on the statement and the groups’ request.

Information on how many tickets have been sold for the event was not immediately available.

NAACP speaks out on event

The NAACP also wrote to USC President Michael Amiridis last Friday, arguing the event violated university policy and promotional materials violated South Carolina’s laws against obscenity.

“Hate speech has long served as a weapon to undermine the progress of our nation,” NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “If (USC)‘s leadership values their Black students, it’s only right they shut this event down. Our nation’s schools must remain havens for learning, not platforms for hate. It is imperative that the university takes swift action in this matter and protects the campus community from patterns of divisiveness and degradation.”

The “roast” with McInnes and Yiannopoulos had already elicited protest from local alumni and community leaders, too, like Rep. Leon Howard, and Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, both Richland County Democrats, and prominent South Carolina attorney Bakari Sellers. They criticized the university for providing a platform for potential hatred and violence and called on the university to cancel or reconsider the event.

“I want to express our profound outrage and deep concern,” said state Rep. Ivory Thigpen, D-Richland, chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. “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.”

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. She said the school has “no excuse” to approve the program, and said it violates “everything good and decent” about USC.

A petition created last week by Courtney McClain, a USC alumna and campus activist, called for the event’s cancellation has received much attention. Nearly 25,000 people had signed it as of Friday morning.

McClain told The State that she and other students have received racially and sexually motivated harassment online from McInnes, Yiannopoulos and their followers since creating the petition.

Days later, USC leaders released a statement condemning the “the vile and juvenile rhetoric” used to promote the event. But they also explained that as a public institution, the university is required to allow the event, citing students’ freedom of speech and open dialogue. The event is not endorsed by USC, however.

“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 university board chair 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.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the event at a press conference on Wednesday. She said she wasn’t familiar with the event, but echoed previous sentiments from President Joe Biden, in which he said picking Harris as his running mate was “the best decision that he’s ever made.”

“He’s proud to have worked with her,” Jean-Pierre said.

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