Kanye West has been stripped off his doctorate title after more than 10,000 people signed a petition requesting for the degree to be taken away.
The 45-year-old Chicago native has been on an anti-semitic campaign of late, and people believe his actions are undeserving of an honorary degree. It looks like School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, which bestowed the title on the rapper also agree with the petitioners. In a letter obtained by TMZ, SAIC announced it had rescinded the degree awarded to the artist formerly known as Kanye West, stating the rapper has “exhibited disturbing behaviors and made dangerous statements that do not align with our community values.”
The letter, written by President Elissa Tenny, continues, “His anti-Black, antisemitic, and incendiary statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities, are disgusting and condemnable. His words and actions have been painful for our entire community and, particularly, for those of us who feel that our identities and life experiences are under attack.”
The College Dropout was awarded an honorary doctorate back in 2015 for his accomplishments and contributions to art and culture in his hometown, but Tenny notes, “his actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values.”
“After hearing from many of you, and conferring with the Board of Governors, the honorary degree awarded to Kanye West has been rescinded. This was a difficult decision to make, and one that has been deliberated thoroughly,” Tenny adds.
In addition to losing his wife, his friends and his lucrative partnership with Adidas and Gap. The disgraced rapper is also at risk of having his music removed from streaming services. Earlier the New York Post reported that the president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder sent a letter to Apple and Spotify CEOs demanding for the Grammy-award-winning rapper’s music to be taken down from their platforms. Lauder says Ye is “espousing Nazism” and accused Tim Cook and Daniel EK of “profiting off of Jewish hate” by by continuing to host his music on their platforms.
Kanye is yet to address his latest setback but the rapper spoke on his anti-semitism in his new song “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”
West attended both American Academy of Art and Chicago state university for brief periods, but left at the age of 20 to pursue a career in music. Read the full letter below.
