Khymani James
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Khymani James (born circa 2004[1]) is an undergraduate student at Columbia University and a member of the Columbia University class of 2025, 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]
Personal life
James spent most of his childhood in Dorchester.[4] After his mother died when he was 12, he was raised by an aunt where he lived with two cousins.[4] He identifies as "a first-generation African-Caribbean gay Black male."[4]
He attended Dever Elementary, UP Academy Boston, and Boston Latin Academy. While a high school student, he said that "the ultimate destination is Congress."[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.[5][4] He served from the fall of 2020 to March 2021.[5] He then resigned, saying that the district was trying to disrespectfully silence him and was using "adultist rhetoric."[5][1] He also resigned from the District Student Advisory Council.[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."[5][6]
James was also vice president of Latin Academy's Black Student Union and captain of the school dance team.[4]
Columbia University
James matriculated at Columbia University in the fall of 2021.[5][6] He majored in economics and political science.[4] James was a leader of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on campus in April 2024.[3]
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."[5][7] University officials called him into a disciplinary meeting in January 2024 to discuss the post, and James recorded it.[5][7]
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."[5][7] When an administrator asked "Do you see why that is problematic in any way?" James responded with "No."[7] He added that Zionists were like Nazis and said "I feel very comfortable, very comfortable, calling for those people to die."[7]
Joe Biden's administration condemned the remarks.[5] James apologized when the remarks were made public in April 2024.[5] James said on X: "I affirm the sanctity of all life and the movement for liberation."[8]
Columbia then 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."[7] The university would not comment on his status as a student.[5][7]
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 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.