Harvard has rescinded the admission of conservative Parkland shooting survivor, Kyle Kashuv, weeks after he apologized for racial slurs made several years ago in high school in a Google Doc and text messages.
One screenshot claims to show Kashuv writing the n-word more than a dozen times in a shared study guide on Google Docs.
"like im really good at typing n---er ok like practice uhhhhhh makes perfect son??!!" Kashuv allegedly wrote in a portion of the document.
In another part of the Google Doc, Kashuv allegedly wrote the same slur repeatedly, in capital letters. Kashuv also allegedly referred to black student athletes as “n---erjocks” in one text message. -Daily Beast
Dear Kyle Kashuv,
— ari // msdstrong 🦅 (@arixali) May 17, 2019
Cursing (more like being blatantly racist) like a middle schooler on XBOX live doesn’t make me respect you — it makes you look like a joke. pic.twitter.com/j2wyRDvoqw
Harvard's decision comes after Kashuv says he gave up "huge scholarships" to go to the university, and that "the deadline for accepting other college offers has ended." Hours before the racial screenshots came to light, Kashuv announced that he was parting ways with pro-Trump group Turning Point USA.
Of note, Kashuv was ranked #1 in his class and had a SAT score of 1550 out of 1600. Meanwhile, liberal Parkland survivor David Hogg was also accepted to Harvard despite a 1270 SAT score and getting rejected from UCLA.
In a Monday Twitter thread, Kashuv claims that "former peers & political opponents began contacting Harvard," urging the school to cancel his acceptance. He was given 72 hours to explain himself, and was given the axe anyway despite a "letter with a full explanation, apology, and requested documents," as well as an email to Harvard's Office of Diversity and Inclusion seeking guidance.
2/ A few weeks ago, I was made aware of egregious and callous comments classmates and I made privately years ago - when I was 16 years old, months before the shooting - in an attempt to be as extreme and shocking as possible.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
I immediately apologized.
Here is my apology: pic.twitter.com/eI38ziiQE8
4/ After the story broke, former peers & political opponents began contacting Harvard urging them to rescind me. Harvard then sent this letter stating that Harvard "reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission" and requested a written explanation within 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/RfEQCvjgDX
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
6/ I also sent an email to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to seek guidance on how to right this wrong and work with them once I was on campus. pic.twitter.com/3M1UEXXeQm
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
8/ Somewhat ironically, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion sent me this response regarding my apology:
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
“Thank you for your email. We appreciate your thoughtful reflections and look forward to connecting with you upon your matriculation in the fall of 2020..." pic.twitter.com/YUX67QW3KE
10/ Harvard deciding that someone can’t grow, especially after a life-altering event like the shooting, is deeply concerning. If any institution should understand growth, it’s Harvard, which is looked to as the pinnacle of higher education despite its checkered past.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
Kashuv then noted that Harvard's faculty included "slave owners, segregationists, bigots and antisemites," and that if the university is suggesting that "growth isn't possible and that our past defines our future, then Harvard is an inherently racist institution."
12/ I believe that institutions and people can grow. I've said that repeatedly.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
In the end, this isn’t about me, it's about whether we live in a society in which forgiveness is possible or mistakes brand you as irredeemable, as Harvard has decided for me.
13/ So what now? I’m figuring it out.
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
I had given up huge scholarships in order to go to Harvard, and the deadline for accepting other college offers has ended.
I’m exploring all options at the moment.