Khymani James: The Controversial Columbia Student Activist with Big Aspirations
In today’s political climate, it’s no surprise that college campuses have become breeding grounds for activism and passionate debates. One such student activist who has recently made headlines is Khymani James, a 20-year-old Columbia University student. James, who hails from Boston and graduated from the prestigious Boston Latin Academy in 2021, has been at the center of controversy due to their anti-Israel stance and expressed dislike for white people. However, their aspirations to collaborate with far-left “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also raised eyebrows.
In a resurfaced video that led to their ban from campus, James can be seen calling for the murder of Zionists. This shocking revelation has sparked outrage among many, with questions being raised about the nature of free speech and the limits of activism. James, however, remains unapologetic about their statements, stating that they stand firm on everything they say and do as a Black man in America.
Interestingly, despite their controversial views, James has expressed a desire to work with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In an interview, they mentioned that their ultimate destination is Congress and that they hoped to collaborate with Ocasio-Cortez during their time at Columbia. However, recent retweets criticizing Ocasio-Cortez’s visit to the Columbia tent encampment suggest a change in sentiment.
Before their time at Columbia, James was already an active participant in the world of local politics. They served as a non-voting student representative on the Boston School Committee, where they gained a reputation for being vocal on issues such as budget cuts and school reopening plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their tenure on the committee came to an abrupt end when they resigned, citing “blatant disrespect and adultist rhetoric.”
During a committee meeting, James made a controversial statement that gained significant attention. They expressed their dislike for white people while discussing two former committee members accused of discriminating against white individuals. This comment sparked controversy and led to questions about whether James’ views were appropriate for someone in their position. One X user even posted a clip of the comment, tagging Columbia University and questioning whether they wanted a student like James on their campus.
Despite the backlash, James stood their ground and refused to apologize for their statement. They emphasized that as a Black man in America, their testimony was honest and unapologetic. This unyielding stance further fueled the controversy surrounding James and their views.
Currently, James’ academic standing at Columbia University is unclear after being formally banned from campus due to the resurfaced video of their inflammatory comments about Zionists. In the video, James can be heard saying that “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and that they feel comfortable calling for their deaths. These statements were made during a questioning session with officials from Columbia’s Center for Student Success and Intervention regarding a past Instagram post.
However, James is not just known for their controversial statements. They are also one of the leaders of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia, which has been the center of attention on campus for nearly two weeks. Despite the NYPD raiding the campus and arresting 108 participants, the tent setup remains in place. The students involved in the encampment have demanded that Columbia officials meet their central demands before they consider removing the tents.
As Khymani James continues to make waves with their activism and controversial statements, it remains to be seen how their future will unfold. Their aspirations to collaborate with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and their involvement in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia highlight their commitment to their beliefs and their desire to bring about change. Whether their actions will lead to tangible results or further controversy, only time will tell.
