The NAACP, along with numerous students, is calling on the University of South Carolina to cancel the “roasting” of Vice President Harris.
In a letterIn a letter to university President Michael Amiridis, the group said it is nonpartisan and does not endorse any candidates, but felt compelled to write the letter “because this event and its advertising are clearly sexist and racist, and because the proposed event may provoke violence on campus.”
“Hate speech has long been used as a weapon to undermine our nation's progress, and at a moment when we are witnessing groundbreaking history, those with bad intentions seek to cast a shadow over those very gains,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a separate statement.
“If University of South Carolina leadership cares about its Black students, it is right for them to cancel this event. Our nation's schools must remain havens of learning, not platforms for hate. It is essential that the university act swiftly in this matter to protect our campus community from a pattern of division and degradation.”
The event, scheduled for September 18, is being organized by the student chapter of Uncensored America, a nonpartisan group that fights for free speech.
The event's “roastmasters” will be Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos, a right-wing media personality who has previously come under fire for his misogynistic, racist, xenophobic and transphobic rhetoric.
“While the NAACP is a strong supporter and defender of free speech, in light of the advertising used for the proposed event, the NAACP urges USC to cancel the proposed event — not because of what will be said at the event, but because of what has already been said and depicted in the lewd advertising,” the NAACP letter read.
“History has demonstrated that the presence of these speakers creates an undeniable risk of violence from those attracted to campuses by these speakers,” the letter added. This was a reference to the time Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak at the University of California, Berkeley, but canceled the talk after a group of about 150 violent “agitators” disrupted a peaceful protest of more than 1,500 people, which resulted in a large fire and several broken windows.
The NAACP also noted that the Proud Boys organization is on Canada's terrorist list and that McInnes is a Canadian citizen.
“Simply put, inviting to USC the founder of a terrorist group with a history of violence and a speaker whose presence has resulted in violence and property damage poses a clear and imminent danger to students, campus employees and visitors,” the NAACP letter concluded.
“As chancellor, you have a duty to protect the students, employees and visitors to campus who choose to attend USC. I urge you to make the right decision and cancel the planned event.”
The NAACP letter states: Online Petition The petition, organized by student leaders, has garnered more than 22,000 signatures.
“The values espoused by both speakers, including the founder of the Proud Boys organization and individuals with a history of racist, sexist and homophobic statements, are inconsistent with those outlined in the Carolina Creed. Their discriminatory views directly target the diverse and minority USC student and alumni population, a community the University is proud to serve,” the petition states.
The petition adds that the incident illustrates a larger campus issue where minority students are voicing concerns about the campus environment.
“To ensure an environment of inclusive excellence, we must prevent USC from engaging in events such as the following: [the roast] “To ensure that marginalized students who experience discrimination off campus feel safe and welcome at the university,” the petition reads.
Amiridis did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.
