This letter was sent by Vice President for Student Affairs and Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley to professors Dan Kirschner, Ruth Langer, and Alan Marcus, as well as the leadership of Boston College Hillel. (It was also sent to The Heights.) The letter addresses the Campus Activities Board’s decision to invite the rapper B.o.B,…
The Boston College Campus Activities Board hosted rapper B.o.B and Battle of the Bands winner Shady Lady at its annual spring concert, Modstock.
“Was this episode just about vetting or was it more broadly a case study about sensitivity?”
“We, faculty and staff of Boston College, are embarrassed that our Jesuit and Catholic university is supporting a performer who spouts such offensive and uneducated statements,” the letter reads.
“In light of recent concerns over our selection for Modstock, we would like to respond to the BC community by apologizing to any student, faculty, or staff member offended by our selection,” the CAB statement said.
Last week, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) announced that B.o.B would be headlining this year’s Modstock Festival. Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., professionally known as B.o.B, rose to fame in 2009 after the release of his song, “Nothin’ On You,” and has collaborated with artists such as Jessie J, Bruno Mars, and M.I.A. The artist has…
“But it is clear from his statement above that he has been called out on these views—and to no avail.”
The rapper’s January 2016 song “Flatline” suggested anti-Semitic views, which gained the attention of the Anti-Defamation League.
