Rapper Gives Back $$ In Protest

by Joseph Adinolfi | Nov 14, 2011 10:52am
(1) Comment | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Education, Media Matters

Rapper Jasiri Smith opted not accept his $841.50 payment for his performance at the University of Connecticut because the student who organized the performance has been removed form his position as chairman of the Undergraduate Student Government Multiculturalism and Diversity subcommittee.

UConn Senior Colin Neary said that his removal was motivated by the media attention USG received after Smith accused USG of censorship and because of certain politicized posts he made on his Facebook page. At least two other USG members have also stepped down to protest the decision.

In an email sent to Neary, Student Affairs Committee Chairman Stephen Petkiss said that Neary was removed because of his inability to work well with members of other committees and his own.

“Please understand that this has nothing to do with you exercising your right to free speech, but rather my responsibility to maintain a cohesive and effective Student Affairs Committee,” Petkiss wrote in this email.

Tags: uconn, USG, Jasiri Smith, rapper, student, University of Connecticut

Comment

posted by: ... | November 14, 2011  2:03pm

The timing of this decision was too close to the actual event to make it appear as ‘just a coincidence’. Especially if other members of the student government step down in protest. And using ‘cohesive’ is the political way of saying he wants everyone to agree on everything, because far be it from a student government to have differing views and active discussion.