Several politicians, media figures and professors took to social media and television this week to spread the message that former Harvard University president Claudine Gay was forced to resign due to racism.
Gay, the first black president of Harvard University, resigned after making controversial anti-Semitic comments on campus and facing several plagiarism charges.
The embattled leader sent a letter to the Harvard community on Tuesday announcing that she would be leaving her post but returning to the university's faculty, adding that “racial hostility” had led to personal attacks and threats against her.
“We feel a deep connection to Harvard University and its people, and as we witness the tensions and divisions that have torn our community apart in recent months, we are grateful for the trust and support that should be our source of strength and support. It has been all the more painful to see the bonds of reciprocity weakening in times of crisis,” Gay wrote in the letter.
Social media is abuzz over the resignation of Harvard University President Claudine Gay: 'She should have been fired weeks ago'
Former Harvard University President Claudine Gay (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“It pains me that my commitment to confronting hate and defending academic rigor (two core values that are fundamental to who I am) is called into question in these circumstances. “It's horrifying to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racism,” she added.
But gays weren't the only ones who said racism led to their resignations. Shortly after her announcement became public, Rep. Jamal Bowman of New York said her concession was due to racism.
“This is not about plagiarism or anti-Semitism. This is about racism and intimidation. This makes no one safe,” Bowman wrote on Tuesday.
“The only winners will be the fascists who bullied these glorious and historic black women into resignation. 2024 will be a battle for truth, democracy, and our shared humanity.”
Several prominent media figures also came to Gay's defense, blaming racism for his resignation.
Nicole Hannah-Jones, a New York Times Magazine reporter and founder of the 1619 Project, called it a “glimpse of what's to come.”
Firing Harvard's Claudine Gay won't cure this elite university's cancer.
“Academic freedom is under attack. Racial justice programs are under attack. Black women will pay the price. Too often our so-called allies lack real courage. ” Hannah-Jones wrote.
Mara Gay of the New York Times appeared on MSNBC and called Gay's resignation an “attack on diversity and multiculturalism.”
“You don't have to say they're racist because you can hear and see racism in the attacks,” she said.
Pastor Al Sharpton arrives at the Philadelphia screening of 'The Loud Mouth' during the 31st Annual Philadelphia Film Festival on October 29, 2022 in Philadelphia. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
Pastor Al Sharpton declared the end of his term an “attack on the health, strength, and future of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Politico reported.
Additionally, some university professors trumpeted that race was a factor in Gay's resignation.
Boston University professor Ibram posted on X. To all reporters who value truth and justice, not fights and clicks. ”
Lupika Ritham, an assistant professor at Dartmouth College, told It was,” he wrote.
“Intimidation is the point,” Eric Deggans, an adjunct professor at Duke University, wrote on X. “Will Harvard's next president champion diversity? Will she be a woman? Will she be Black? If not, they've forced us to take a few steps back.” Everyone in the school gets that message. ”
Gay's problems have intensified in recent weeks and began to reach a boiling point when she testified before Congress after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. She struggled to answer questions about anti-Semitism on campus from New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Harvard graduate.
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Calls for her resignation have since grown louder. Dozens of plagiarism allegations within the next few weeks. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the total number of plagiarism allegations against Gaye is close to 50, or “half of Gaye's published works.”
However, Gay was able to keep his $900,000 salary from his new faculty position.
Fox News Digital's Brandon Gillespie, Brian Flood and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
