Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama has launched an investigation and a Jewish group on campus has contacted authorities after graffiti signaling the approval of Kanye West’s antisemitic comments appeared across campus Monday morning.
#YeisRight, written in chalk, alluded to the comments made by the rapper now known as Ye. Nearby, the phrase America First was written.
In a statement, the university said it was notified of the “anonymous chalkings with concerning language targeting our Jewish community” Monday morning.
“We condemn these chalkings, which violate our Capstone Creed, our campus culture and our core values,” the statement said. “Our expectation is that everyone be treated with civility and respect. As soon as we were notified of the chalkings we began removing them, initiated an investigation and organized resources for those impacted and concerned. Public Safety and the Offices of Student Life and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are fully engaged and providing related support.”
The University of Alabama Hillel, a Jewish student organization on campus, said it was “working with local and federal agencies” following the markings.
“Bama Hillel does not support hatred of any kind and is saddened by the chalking incident discovered this morning,” the statement said. “It is unfortunate that this incident occurred on our campus, where things like this rarely happen.”
Bama Hillel is here for our students and encourages anyone in need of additional resources to reach out. Students may contact Lisa Besnoy at Lisa.BamaHillel@gmail.com or (205) 523-4646 pic.twitter.com/zNluna9JzB
— Bama Hillel (@bamahillel) January 26, 2023
The group said it received support from the university, which provided “security measures to keep our students and members of our campus and Tuscaloosa community safe, as well as well-being resources for our entire campus community.”
Elizabeth Prophet, a senator with the Student Government Association, said she was drafting a resolution in consultation with Jewish groups on campus to condemn the incident.
