Khymani James: Difference between revisions
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==Boston Public Schools== |
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While a student at [[Boston Latin Academy]], James was elected by his peers to be a non-voting member of the Boston School Committee.{{r|ch|ar}} |
While a student at [[Boston Latin Academy]], James was elected by his peers to be a non-voting member of the Boston School Committee.{{r|ch|ar}} His approach was described as "more confrontational" than that of the adults he served alongside.{{r|jr}} He said he "chose not to practice respectability politics because it wasn’t getting anyone anywhere."{{r|jr}} His Twitter following grew to 1,500 during this time and he led press conferences.{{r|jr}} |
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He served on the School Committee from the fall of 2020 to March 2021.{{r|ch}} He then resigned, saying that the district was trying to disrespectfully silence him and was using "adultist rhetoric."{{r|ch|nm}} He also resigned from the District Student Advisory Council.{{r|ch|jr}} In June 2021, he attended a virtual meeting of the School Committee where he ended his remarks by saying "I, too, hate white people."{{r|ch|ym|jr}} |
He served on the School Committee from the fall of 2020 to March 2021.{{r|ch}} He then resigned, saying that the district was trying to disrespectfully silence him and was using "adultist rhetoric."{{r|ch|nm}} He also resigned from the District Student Advisory Council.{{r|ch|jr}} In June 2021, he attended a virtual meeting of the School Committee where he ended his remarks by saying "I, too, hate white people."{{r|ch|ym|jr}} |
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Revision as of 09:26, 1 May 2024
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Khymani James (born circa 2004[1]) is an undergraduate student at Columbia University and a former student representative to the Boston School Committee. He is most known for leading the 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian campus occupation as a spokesperson for Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD).[2][3] He gained notoriety for a video in which he made inflammatory and hateful remarks about Zionists.
Personal life
James spent most of his childhood in Dorchester and a South Boston housing development.[4][5] After his mother, who was Jamaican, died when he was 12, he lived with a number of family and friends.[5] One of them abruptly kicked him out on Easter morning in 2016.[5] He was 12 years old at the time.[5] He was then raised by an aunt where he lived with two cousins.[4][5] He identifies as "a first-generation African-Caribbean gay Black male."[4]
He attended Dever Elementary, UP Academy Boston, and Boston Latin Academy. His sixth grade teacher described him as gifted but someone who struggled with authority, and that he frequently had detention.[5] While a high school student, he said that "the ultimate destination is Congress."[4] James was also vice president of Latin Academy's Black Student Union and captain of the school dance team.[4]
Boston Public Schools
While a student at Boston Latin Academy, James was elected by his peers to be a non-voting member of the Boston School Committee.[6][4] His approach was described as "more confrontational" than that of the adults he served alongside.[5] He said he "chose not to practice respectability politics because it wasn’t getting anyone anywhere."[5] His Twitter following grew to 1,500 during this time and he led press conferences.[5]
He served on the School Committee from the fall of 2020 to March 2021.[6] He then resigned, saying that the district was trying to disrespectfully silence him and was using "adultist rhetoric."[6][1] He also resigned from the District Student Advisory Council.[6][5] In June 2021, he attended a virtual meeting of the School Committee where he ended his remarks by saying "I, too, hate white people."[6][7][5]
Columbia University
James matriculated at Columbia University in the fall of 2021.[6][7] He majored in economics and political science.[4]
Call for the death of Zionists
As a student, James posted on social media that "Zionists in my DM wanting to meet up and fight. I don’t fight to injure or for there to be a winner or a loser, I fight to kill."[6][8] University officials called him into a disciplinary meeting in January 2024 to discuss the post, and James recorded it.[6][8]
At that meeting he made a number of incendiary comments, including "Zionists don’t deserve to live" and "Be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists."[6][8] When an administrator asked "Do you see why that is problematic in any way?" James responded with "No."[8] He added that Zionists were like Nazis and said "I feel very comfortable, very comfortable, calling for those people to die."[8]
Joe Biden's administration condemned the remarks.[6] James apologized when the remarks were publicized in April 2024.[6] James said on X: "I affirm the sanctity of all life and the movement for liberation."[9]
Columbia then suspended him[10] and banned him from the campus, saying that "calls of violence and statements targeted at individuals based on their religious, ethnic or national identity are unacceptable and violate university policy."[8][a]
Gaza Solidarity Encampment
James was a leader of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on campus in April 2024.[11][3] When three Jewish students visited the camp, James used a human microphone to assemble a crowd of 75 other students to push the Jewish students out of the camp.[11] James first announced that "We have Zionists who have entered the camp."[11] He then asked the crowd to link arms and then take steps forward "to push them out of the camp."[11] One of the Jewish students said that James "put a target on our back."[11]
When a Columbia alumnus jumped the fence surrounding the encampment, unfurled an Israeli flag, and tried to speak with those in the encampment, James blocked his efforts.[11] James is quoted as saying in regards to the matter that "We don't engage with Zionists."[11]
Notes
References
- ^ a b Martin, Naomi (March 5, 2021). "Boston student School Committee member resigns, saying district tried to silence his voice". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Tori B.; Sangal, Aditi; Salahieh, Nouran; Faheid, Dalia; Said-Moorhouse, Lauren; Smith-Spark, Laura; Vogt, Adrienne (2024-04-27). "Columbia student protest leader banned from campus after saying "Zionists don't deserve to live"". CNN. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b Lonas, Lexi (2024-04-26). "Columbia protest leader: 'Be grateful that I'm not just going out and murdering Zionists'". The Hill. Archived from the original on 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rowlings, Angela (February 18, 2021). "Q and A with Khymani James: 'The ultimate destination is Congress'". The Bay State Banner. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Russell, jenna (August 11, 2021). "'Speak your truth': How one student leader's confrontational approach reflects generational shift in fighting injustice". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Huffaker, Christopher (April 27, 2024). "Columbia protester who said 'Zionists don't deserve to live' was fiery student representative on Boston School Committee". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Miller, Yawu (June 23, 2021). "Racial tensions surface amid exam school debate". The Bay State Banner. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rosman, Katherine (April 26, 2024). "Columbia Bars Student Protester Who Said 'Zionists Don't Deserve to Live'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Wendling, Mike; Matza, Max (April 27, 2024). "Columbia campus protester apologises for 'kill Zionists' comments". BBC. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Rosman, Katherine (April 29, 2024). "Student Protester Is Suspended After Anti-Zionist Video". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rosman, Katherine (April 29, 2024). "Universities Face an Urgent Question: What Makes a Protest Antisemitic?". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2024.