Joy Behar says Harvard was right to rescind Parkland shooting survivor's admission: 'Take your gap year to contemplate your racism'
The co-hosts of The View weighed in after Kyle Kashuv, a student who survived the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla., had his acceptance to Harvard University rescinded.
Kashuv took to Twitter on Monday to explain that the university made the decision after a series of racist and anti-Semitic remarks he made with friends surfaced online. Kashuv said the comments were made two years ago when he was 16.
1/ THREAD: Harvard rescinded my acceptance.
Three months after being admitted to Harvard Class of 2023, Harvard has decided to rescind my admission over texts and comments made nearly two years ago, months prior to the shooting.
I have some thoughts. Here’s what happened.— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) June 17, 2019
Joy Behar said she agreed with the Ivy League university’s decision.
“They always say that young people who do these types of things need to get a lesson. This is the lesson,” she said. “The lesson is you’re not getting into Harvard. Take your gap year to contemplate your racism. That would be a productive year,” added Behar.
Guest co-host Ana Navarro agreed with Behar. “It’s a private institution. Moral character matters,” said Navarro. She continued, “Kyle, the bad news is you can’t go to Harvard if you’re a sexist misogynist, but you can grow up to be president.”
But Meghan McCain questioned whether some of the calls for Harvard to rescind Kashuv’s admission stemmed from his more conservative-leaning views. Kashuv is a vocal pro-gun supporter.
“I did wonder if he became a target because he was on the other side. Because he’s a pro-N.R.A., pro-gun activist,” said McCain.
Still, McCain was “mixed” on the university’s decision.
“I don’t think it’s too much to ask to not say the ‘n-word’ from young people. I also think your life shouldn’t be ruined because of some dumb crap stuff you’ve done at 16.”
Viewer reaction on Twitter was also mixed, with some agreeing that Harvard made the right call:
Every college from Harvard to BYU to your local community college has a code of conduct they expect students to adhere to. He failed to do that....this is a teachable moment for this kid. Hope he learns the right lesson bc some ppl want to make it about everything but his actions
— Evelyn Joyce (@EvelynF60553074) June 18, 2019
Harvard was right to rescind admission. Actions have consequence. We need to teach kids that anything they put in the ether can come back.anything. Also racism is learned behavior, doesn’t just happen. My young adult drops a lot of F-bombs, but would never use the N word.
— Susan Hershey Smith (@SusanHershSmith) June 18, 2019
Others felt Kashuv deserved a second chance:
Harvard can do what they want, but you all shouldn’t ruin the young man’s life over it. We ALL SAY THINGS WE DON’T MEAN AND DO STUPID THINGS- even as adults!!! Don’t put yourselves on such high pedestals. How come some get second chances while others don’t?
— Byz (@Carib4Me) June 18, 2019
Are telling me that there are no racist people at Harvard that aren't remorseful and are still there, and this guy can't get in after apologizing.
— Tena Thornton (@ThorntonTena) June 18, 2019
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