Kanye West's Honorary Degree Revoked By The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

On Thursday, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago officials wrote to The Chicago Sun-Times, expressing Ye’s actions are not aligned with the school’s overall values.

“The School of the Art Institute of Chicago condemns and repudiates Kanye West’s (now known as Ye) anti-Black, anti-Semitic, 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 Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree,” officials said in a statement.

 A group from the SAIC community created a petition on change.org calling on SAIC President Elissa Tenny to rescind the honorary degree. 

 “We informed the SAIC community this morning,” a school spokeswoman said.

“This award bestows the legitimacy and luster of the School on a figure who has in recent months has made repeated public statements expressing and justifying anti-Semetism. 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,” the petition reads.

As of Thursday, the petition had collected 4,148 signatures.

“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,” the petition continued.

Ye attended the American Academy of Art and Chicago State University before dropping out to follow his dreams of being an artist. His first album College Drop Out took him to new levels in the producing and rap game.