In 2015 the School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded the artist Kanye West with an Honorary Doctorate. 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.

This harm impacts the artists, designers and scholars affiliated to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and their values of justice, compassion, and free expression without hatred.

This harm impacts Jews, whose lives are put at direct risk by the mainstreaming of anti-semitic views.

This harm impacts all oppressed peoples, who stand to suffer when intimidation and deadly violence against people on the basis of their identity are made justifiable.

We are calling on Elissa Tenny, President of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, to immediately rescind the Honorary Doctorate awarded to Mr. West in 2015.