Harvard Dean’s Controversial Social Media Posts Surface
In the years leading up to his appointment, Harvard University’s resident dean made several provocative social media comments aimed at police, white individuals, and conservatives, while also endorsing threats against then-President Donald Trump, according to a recent report.
The posts, uncovered by Yard Report and highlighted in Harvard Salient, a conservative student-run publication, reveal Gregory Davis, the Allston Barr Resident Dean at Harvard, engaging in repeated criticism of law enforcement and white people, while expressing support for rioting and looting. For instance, back in 2019, he tweeted that “whiteness is a self-destructive ideology that annihilates everyone around it.” That was during his time as a resident tutor, and he officially became dean in 2024.
As a resident dean at Dunster House, Davis acts as a primary contact for students seeking academic and wellness assistance.
Support for Leftist Political Violence
In a 2020 post, Davis expressed disdain for law enforcement, suggesting he should tell his police officer friends to resign due to their “racist and evil” behavior. Another post that year declared that “riots and looting are just as much a part of democracy as voting and marching.” These statements appeared to reflect his belief in civil disobedience, even during turbulent times.
When Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020, Davis notably stated he didn’t condemn those wishing ill upon him, even going so far as to respond with a GIF that read, “If he dies, he dies.” He continued this controversial viewpoint with another post that remarked on the death of political commentator Rush Limbaugh in a rather flippant manner.
Just weeks before his deanship was announced, he shared a message on Instagram advocating for love among people but juxtaposed that with a call to “hate the police.” In his official Harvard bio, he identifies as “Black, queer, neurodivergent,” among other descriptors.
Community Reassurances
Following these revelations, an email sent by Shirley and Taeku Lee, co-deans of Dunster House, reassured the community about the welcoming nature of their environment, acknowledging concerns raised by Davis’s past statements. They encouraged students to reach out with any questions or comments.
Davis, who obtained a master’s in psychology from Harvard in 2016 and a doctorate in philosophy with a focus on African American/Black studies in 2020, later issued a statement addressing inquiries about his prior social media activity. He emphasized that those past comments didn’t represent his current views and expressed regret for any negative impact they might have had on the Dunster community.
In closing, Davis noted his commitment to fostering a supportive atmosphere at Dunster House and highlighted collaborative efforts with campus police and community members. He asserted that his responsibility as Resident Dean was a priority, despite the outside events that had affected his role personally.
