Conversation

Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
1/ THREAD: Harvard rescinded my acceptance.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.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
2/ A few weeks ago, I was made aware of egregious and callous comments classmates and I made privately years ago - when I was 16 years old, months before the shooting - in an attempt to be as extreme and shocking as possible. I immediately apologized. Here is my apology:
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
3/ After I issued this apology, speculative articles were written, my peers used the opportunity to attack me, and my life was once again reduced to a headline. It sent me into one of the darkest spirals of my life.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
4/ After the story broke, former peers & political opponents began contacting Harvard urging them to rescind me. Harvard then sent this letter stating that Harvard "reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission" and requested a written explanation within 72 hours.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
6/ I also sent an email to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to seek guidance on how to right this wrong and work with them once I was on campus.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
8/ Somewhat ironically, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion sent me this response regarding my apology: “Thank you for your email. We appreciate your thoughtful reflections and look forward to connecting with you upon your matriculation in the fall of 2020..."
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
9/ After receiving Harvard’s letter revoking my acceptance, I responded by asking for the opportunity to have an in-person meeting to make my case face to face and work towards any possible path of reconciliation. Harvard responded by declining my meeting request.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
Replying to
@KyleKashuv
11/ Throughout its history, Harvard’s faculty has included slave owners, segregationists, bigots and antisemites. If Harvard is suggesting that growth isn't possible and that our past defines our future, then Harvard is an inherently racist institution. But I don't believe that.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
12/ I believe that institutions and people can grow. I've said that repeatedly. In the end, this isn’t about me, it's about whether we live in a society in which forgiveness is possible or mistakes brand you as irredeemable, as Harvard has decided for me.
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Kyle Kashuv
@KyleKashuv
13/ So what now? I’m figuring it out. I had given up huge scholarships in order to go to Harvard, and the deadline for accepting other college offers has ended. I’m exploring all options at the moment.
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Yatagarasu Kane Webb
@FightOnTwist
Replying to
@KyleKashuv
Using the deaths of your classmates as a means to diminish your own racist comments is incredibly pathetic and you should be ashamed. But you won’t be because you’re clearly entitled enough to think actions don’t have their consequences.
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