Parkland survivor booted from Harvard slams former lawmaker for comparing him to school shooter
Parkland shooter survivor and pro-gun activist Kyle Kashuv hit back at a former lawmaker who compared the racist messages the teen had sent to classmates to “the social media postings we see of a shooter.”
Kyle Kashuv said on Monday that his offer of admission to join Harvard University’s class of 2023 was revoked. In an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, former Republican Rep. David Jolly said that the university made the right decision in rescinding his acceptance.
Jolly cited screenshots of the racist messages in question which were published by HuffPost, saying Kashuv used the n-word repeatedly and “referred to one of the shoot-‘em-up video games and suggested they should put a map of that on his high school.”
“How do we promote somebody with these social media posts in their background?” Jolly asked in the interview. “The young man deserves redemption. But he also deserves a closer look to whether someone with this profile should be able to purchase a firearm under the gun laws of the United States.”
Kashuv took to Twitter to refute Jolly’s assertions, writing that while he admits to being in the wrong with regard to his previous comments, he would not take being compared to a shooter sitting down.
“I’ve said repeatedly that I'm horrified by comments I sent a few years back — I’ll spend years working to make it right,” his tweet says. “I will accept and learn from the criticism, but I will NOT accept being compared to the shooter who murdered my classmates.”
I’ve said repeatedly that I'm horrified by comments I sent a few years back—I’ll spend years working to make it right.
I will accept and learn from the criticism, but I will NOT accept being compared to the shooter who murdered my classmates.https://t.co/f4d2mJGJld— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 18, 2019
Kashuv’s tweet was met with encouragement from some, as many asserted that he should be given a second chance after he apologized for his past actions.
Kyle. My man. Don't you dare start beating yourself up. There isn't a person alive who hasn't made a mistake. The difference between a good man and a great man is how he learns from his mistakes. Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past.
— Jackson Punch (@thejacksonpunch) June 18, 2019
If @Harvard has any sense to invest in our young and future , they would accept him, make him volunteer and speak about diversity..... etc. There is a huge opportunity to teach others here.
— TJ Davidson 🇺🇸 (@TJDavidsonUSA) June 18, 2019
I see someone playing politics and trying to make hay. Kyle we know who you are and stand behind you. May God bless you.
— Alan Stump (@AlanStump1) June 19, 2019
However, others disagreed, pointing out that the revoked admission was a chance for him to grow up and prove that he really could right his wrongs.
I love you Kyle, but you are in no position to be making arguments of moral superiority right now. The reason why this has blown up in your face (and continues getting worse) is precisely because you refuse to take responsibility & show true remorse.
— William LeGate (@williamlegate) June 18, 2019
You said that you wanted to make a Call of Duty map of your school. What exactly are the early signs of a school shooter and how was this not one? Lmao. https://t.co/oYoKGaaFLj
— Cassidy (@CassidyLovesU7) June 19, 2019
Take the comments in context. He was referring to your comments about ‘Shooting the entire school to practice killing Jews’ !! Those are really red flags we all look for in a shooter. I would too if i saw those. https://t.co/4ArbogkhUF
— Not Satoshi Nakamoto (@NotSatoshi_) June 18, 2019
Representatives from Harvard University did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Man demands to hang up Confederate flag in protest over mayor's LGBTQ Pride tribute
Dominique Jackson of 'Pose' on LGBTQ Pride and culture: 'Trans women have always been the nurturers'
Special-needs teacher dies rock climbing in Yosemite: It 'went horribly wrong'
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
