‘Sports is Different ‘: NBA Champion Matt Barnes Disapproves of Trans Women Playing in WNBA
NBA champion, Matt Barnes, has a controversial perspective on transgender women competing in women’s professional sports leagues.
According to Fox News, Barnes expressed that he disapproves of transgender women playing in the WNBA during a recent interview on Oct. 21.
“I don’t like that. If you’re born a woman, you should play women’s sports. If you’re born a man, you should play men’s sports. I think the sports thing is a little different,” Barnes said.
The 14-season NBA veteran recalled Lia Thomas, NCAA swimming champion, the first transgender athlete to win the Division I national championship.
ESPN reported that Thomas, who was born male and transitioned a few years ago, swam for the University of Pennsylvania and received public criticism during the 2021-22 season for competing in the women’s division.
Former Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas responded to criticism that she received throughout the 2021–22 season https://t.co/PqnlU5xoOf
“Trans women competing in women’s sports does not threaten women’s sports as a whole,” Thomas said.
“Trans women are a very small minority of all athletes. The NCAA rules regarding trans women competing in women’s sports have been around for 10 plus years. And we haven’t seen any massive wave of trans women dominating.”
Barnes said transgender women playing in the WNBA is like Kevin Durant playing against cisgender women.
“It’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed,” he said.
“I’m pro make your choice. Do you,” Barnes said when it comes to people making their personal life decisions.
“But sports is different. Sports is a different beast,” he added.
According to The National Desk, a poll from Washington Examiner/YouGov recorded public opinions on student-athletes competing on teams that don’t match their birth gender. Fifty-three percent of American adults said they were somewhat or completely against it; 80% were Republicans and 34% were Democrats.
“In the United States, some lawmakers are drafting legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in any women’s sports,” The National Desk informed.
Meet Shantell Martin: Groundbreaking Visual Artist and Philosopher Living Her Passion
British visual artist and philosopher Shantell Martin is living out her passion.
Best known for her large-scale, black-and-white line drawings, Martin’s masterful portfolio pushes the boundaries of creative storytelling. She explores themes such as intersectionality, identity, and play, while simultaneously, forging connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology.
Using an ink marker, Martin also creates small personal sketches, murals, live drawings, wearable art, and more. Her artwork has inspired many thoughtful collaborations with artists and institutions including Pulitzer Prize-winning performance artist Kendrick Lamar, the renowned New York City Ballet, Tiffany & Co., and Nike. She has exhibited in prestigious solo shows at the 92Y Gallery in New York City, the iconic Albright Knox Gallery, and the New Britain Museum of Contemporary Arts.
Photo by Connie Tsang
Martin’s latest collaboration with Hoek Home includes a limited collection featuring her signature black-and-white lines. From coasters to coffee tables to wall art, there are no limits to her work. Her journey was captured via Instagram during the Hoek Home Artist Residency.
Set of 6 tessellating wooden coasters engraved with an exclusive Shantell Martin drawing at Hoek Home (Photo Credits: Michael Ferraro and Conor Coghlan)
An intellectual at heart, Martin currently teaches students as an adjunct professor at NYU Tisch ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program).
Martin talked more with BLACK ENTERPRISE about her groundbreaking work and experience.
Who are you, Shantell?
Just a creative kid trying to have the freedom to make what I want, where I want, and when I want with a positive message.
As a biracial artist, how does your work celebrate who you are and the people around you?
I’m always trying to make work that creates experiences and connections by sharing who I am. That’s also why I like to work live and in real-time. It keeps me honest and in a position where I feel creative and connected to the world.
3-piece desk organizer designed by Shantell Martin at Hoek Home (Photo Credits: Michael Ferraro and Conor Coghlan)
What does it mean to you to wake up every day and live out your passion and creative outlets?
To live out your passion and do what you love, you also have to do many other things to maintain that. It’s a balance and a dance, you can never do 100% what you love and what you like, but that’s the goal and what keeps me going.
Can you describe a day in the life of Shantell inspired by just doing and creating art?
That sounds like a dream, but doesn’t really exist. There’s definitely a part of the day where I’m drawing or making music, but then there’s also the other side that most don’t see: the admin, organizing, meetings, and maintenance. Each day I just try to put one foot in front of the other and see where I end up.
Desk mat designed by Shantell Martin at Hoek Home (Photo Credits: Michael Ferraro and Conor Coghlan)
When did your journey creating your signature black-and-white artwork begin?
Just like all of us, I’ve been drawing since I was a child, and in black-and-white.
What have you learned through the process of transforming your fine art to wearable art?
I’ve been drawing on clothes all my life since I was a kid. Its really surreal to see other people wearing it and walking past me in the street or out in the world. Our bodies are like museums, and we can carry art with us and on us. That feels really cool.
What was the biggest lesson you learned during the HOEK home artist residency?
The biggest thing I learned was how to tessellate a shape. Which basically means creating a shape that can connect to itself from each side, you’ll notice this technique in the coasters that we came out with. It looks quite simple, but actually, for me, it was a bit difficult and challenging to get right. Ultimately, I was able to figure it out and that felt very rewarding. I loved how this collection came out.
Music and art can easily be dance partners. Describe what your experience has been like co-creating live performances?
All of my performances are spontaneous and intuitive so I really get to tap into the space, energy, and people in the room. I really enjoy live performances.
Bench custom designed by Shantel Martin (Photo Credits: Michael Ferraro and Conor Coghlan)
What does the future look like for you and your art?
Hopefully, the future is bigger, brighter, larger, and more interactive. I want to continue creating meaningful installation art moments around the world and ultimately play a bigger role in education and schools.
What advice would you give to those who want to explore and cultivate their art into the capacity you’ve grown and beyond?
It’s not easy. If you’re not 100% into it, consider doing something else. But if you do have the dedication, consistency is the key. You’ve got to be consistent.
‘This Isn’t A Rodeo’, Utah Deputy Sparks Backlash For Twirling Lasso While Pursuing Black Man
A white Utah deputy’s decision to use a lasso rope while searching for a Black male suspect has sparked upset from the Black community.
Deputy Amanda Edwards is under fire for July bodycam footage that revealed her on-foot pursuit of a Black homeless man wanted for stealing sunglasses from a gift shop on Moab’s Main Street, KSLreports. The video shows Edwards coiling the rope in her hand or twirling it in the air in front of her.
Observers questioned Edwards, asking what she was up to. In an upbeat tone, the deputy told concerned witnesses that she was searching for an African American man.
“Are you going to lasso him?” one observer asks.
“That was my plan, man,” the deputy says in response. “I mean, it’s better than running, right?”
Video shows Edwards jumping on trash cans to look over a fence, running around a parking lot, and whistling the tune of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega during her pursuit. At one point, she bumps into a fellow deputy who tells her,
“That’s going to look really bad, if you use that.”
“Better than a Taser,” Edwards replied.
When passing by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper, Edwards expressed her excitement in pursuing the suspect with her lasso.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite some time,” she said.
At the end of her search, Edwards tells a colleague about all the reactions to her using the lasso.
“Dude, so many people took pictures of me with my rope,” she said. “What are they going to say? It’s not like I (expletive) anybody up with it.”
Members of the Black community have since called out the July 10 incident that produced no results.
Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP’s Salt Lake branch, explained why it was good that no one saw Edwards arrest the suspect. They “could literally have a heart attack because they would flash back to the lynchings that went on,” Williams said.
“This isn’t a rodeo, and this is no way to apprehend a human being.”
Mario Mathis, an organizer with Black Lives Matter, shamed Edwards’ actions for similarity to past stories of racism and lynching against African Americans.
“If you don’t know that you, as a white woman, picking up a rope to go after a Black man, is the wrong damn thing to do, you should be fired,” Mathis said.
Sheriff Steven White confirmed an investigation was launched, and Edwards faced discipline. Edwards later wrote in a report that she “replied to each individual in a joking manner” and did not actually expect to find the man during her pursuit.
“I don’t take that as joking,” White said of Edwards’ behavior. “It’s about professionalism. You treat everybody the same. You treat everybody professionally. That’s the way it should be.”
Four Teens Killed In Car Crash After Reportedly Performing Viral TikTok Trend ‘The Kia Challenge’
An investigation continues to unfold the details of a deadly tragedy.
Four teenagers are dead after they were involved in a car crash on the Kensington Expressway Monday morning in Buffalo, New York.
According to the New York Post, the four teens, identified as Marcus Webster, 19; Swazine Swindle, 17; Kevin Payne, 16; and Ahjanae Harper, 14.
Buffalo police said the wrecked vehicle, identified as a Kia, was reported stolen on Sunday night. Officials believe the teens stole the car to allegedly participate in a TikTok trend known as ‘The Kia Challenge,’ where viewers are shown how to hot-wire the South Korean automobile with a screwdriver and USB cable.
“Five of the six occupants, all but the driver, were ejected,” WIVB reported.
According to the outlet, the 16-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle, whose name has not been released, was treated at Erie County Medical Center and is one of two survivors. The driver has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, the outlet reports.
Police have released him from custody as he awaits a scheduled court date today, Friday, Oct. 28.
The other survivor, a 14-year-old girl, was hospitalized in intensive care but was later released.
Harper, who would have been celebrating her 15th birthday, recently welcomed a baby girl, and her family has launched a GoFundMe to raise $15,000.
“She was a young mother,” a local said about her in a TikTok video. “She definitely spent a lot of time with her daughter.”
Image via GoFundMe /
Swindle’s sister, Nashira Anderson, shared that her brother enjoyed playing basketball and goofing around.
Loved ones will remember Webster, who was balancing a job along with his schooling as a hard worker.
Image via Twitter / @ClaudineWgrz
“We certainly send our deepest condolences and sympathies to all the families, and everyone impacted by this unfortunate and horrific tragedy,” the Buffalo Public School District stated.
According to WGRZ, Kia released a statement on Thursday addressing the incident.
Kia released this statement about the crash that killed four teens on the 33 Monday — believed to be linked to the Kia Challenge on TikTok that shows how to steal Kias.
As a result, Kia plans to partner with law enforcement nationwide to provide free steering wheel locks @WGRZ. pic.twitter.com/2Yk9nUiSyP
Chaka Khan Shades Singers Who Use Auto-Tune — Says They Should ‘Get a Job at the Post Office’
The legendary soul singer Chaka Khan is calling out the music acts of today who resort to using auto-tune in their songs instead of raw vocal range.
Chaka was at the Angel Ball on Monday, where she performed a few of her soulful hits like “I’m Every Woman” and “Tell Me Something Good,” Page Sixreports. While at the annual fundraiser for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, the songstress expressed her distaste for current-day singers who she feels don’t give their all when recording new music.
“There is some great stuff out there, and there are some great artists,” Chaka Khan said. “There’s some very fine young artists out there doing great, great work that I am impressed with.”
“But the others, they just need to get them a job at the Post Office — they are always hiring!” she quipped.
“People are using Auto-tune. They need to get to the Post Office quick.”
The legendary soul diva also expressed her sorrow for the more talented singers she feels are insecure in embracing what they have to offer the music industry.
“I feel very sad. It saddens me deeply that so much… insecurity is present in these girls,” she said. “They really need to know that they are the gold and that they really are precious.”
The 69-year-old 10-time Grammy winner is known for not biting her tongue when speaking on today’s music. Chaka Khan has called out Kanye West for the way he used her 1980s hit, “Through The Fire,” on his 2003 rap debut, “Through The Wire.”
“I was upset about sounding like a chipmunk ’cause he didn’t put that when he asked [if he could] sample my song,” Chaka toldGood Day D.C.
“He didn’t mention he was going to speed it up three times its normal speed.
The songstress credited the experience for changing her perspective on allowing artists to use her music.
“Had he, I would’ve had something to say. But since I didn’t think of that, believe me, I think of it now. [When someone asks to sample my music] I ask, ‘How are we gonna do this?’”
‘SAVAGE!’ Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Walk in Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Fashion Show
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is in high demand amid her Emmy Award-winning role on ABC’s Abbott Elementary. Now the screen star is set to strut her stuff on the runway!
Ralph took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce her addition to Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show on Nov. 9.
“R U ready for this #SAVAGEFENTYSHOW 11.9.22 ? I know I am and I’m in it!! SAVAGE!!!!” Ralph captioned the video post.
The video clip teased what fans can expect from the upcoming runway show that’ll air on Amazon. Along with the originalDreamgirls star, other prominent names who will likely perform and model include Anitta, Don Toliver, Burna Boy, and Maxwell.
Ralph’s friends and followers applauded her new fashion gig.
“WE ARENT READY,” Quinta Brunson wrote.
“Get your entire life Mrs. Ralph,” Bresha Webb said.
“I know you about to shut it dowwwwnnnn!” one fan added.
Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show is known for bringing diversity and inclusion to the fashion industry. Her shows feature models of all sizes, shades, and sexual orientations.
Who better to show off the ageless beauty and sex appeal that Savage x Fenty represents than Ralph? The veteran actress has been receiving praise for her performance on Abbott Elementary and her tenure in Hollywood.
Last month, Ralph accepted an Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Barbara Howard. She has been applauded for her emotional speech, which became the night’s moment.
“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like, this is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you,” she said.
‘Becoming Collegiate Academy’ Is First HBCU-Inspired Elementary School In Florida
The city of Jacksonville, Florida, made room for a new learning center inspired by historically Black colleges and universities.
The elementary school, Becoming Collegiate Academy, is located in Gateway Town Center and hails the prestigious HBCUs with flags that decorate the entrance.
In the ABC's at Becoming Collegiate Academy, "A" is "Alcorn State University" and "Z" is "Zora Neale Hurston."
As previously reported in BLACK ENTERPRISE,Cameron Frazier, founder and executive director of the Becoming Collegiate Academy, part of the innovative school’s mission is to target students in communities of color and provide them with an education in which they are reflected.
According to Local Today, Frazier believes representation matters, and the ABCs in the classrooms addresses that. For instance, the “A” reportedly represents “Alcorn State University,” and the “Z” stands for “Zora Neale Hurston.”
“We are inheriting best practices from the HBCU experience. That’s why we let our brown bears have this experience early on,” Frazier added.
“It’s very important that our students see role models that look just like them every day,” Frazier said.
“It is extremely important that our students experience it in elementary school. They need to see Black men teaching them academics, letting them know they are smart, building their identities, having high expectations, and surrounding them with love.”
Ahmad Levy, a former student of Frazier, currently works as a teacher and shared that he had his first Black teacher when he reached his seventh-grade year.
“Seeing someone who looked like me as my teacher really inspired me to take a second look at different things to do in life,” Levy said. “I teach now so I can be that representative for our community.”
Reportedly,there are 80 students currently enrolled in the school, and the student body comprises kindergartners and first graders. The school continues its search for educators and is still accepting applications for students as they plan to add a class each year to complete the elementary school grades.
“Our brown bears will one day change the world,” Frazier said. “You will see the big brown bear, and you will be surrounded by nothing but love.”
Understanding the Needs of Women: This Black Woman Founded a Morning-After Pill Brand
Amanda E/J Morrison is changing the face and narrative of healthcare with her newest business endeavor Julie, a morning-after pill company.
Understanding the needs of women, Morrison co-founded Julie alongside Julie Schott and Brian Bordainick to create a more accessible morning pill. In addition, the brand strives to curate a space for conversations and education around emergency contraception.
Morrison, who spoke at BE’s Small Business Summit last year, invited BLACK ENTERPRISE to join in on the conversation.
From Beauty to Health and Wellness
The former Mented Cosmetics co-founder said the Julie pill shares a similar mission to the beauty collection.
“I saw that women of color felt left out of the beauty industry and were playing chemist alone in their bathrooms to find the right shade,” Morrison tells BLACK ENTERPRISE in an email.
“No access to products that worked and no community to share with. In all areas of life it is critical to feel seen and heard and that connection is what most women crave. I saw this same void in access, education, and dignity within the emergency contraception space—and we want Julie to fill that,” she added.
Julie’s Morning After Pill
Discussions about Julie started in the fall of 2021, as a result of a decade-long hiatus of any innovation in this product’s market.
Julie’s pill is made with Levonorgestrel 1.5mg, an FDA-approved, progestin-only emergency contraceptive that is also found in other brands. The drug was first released in 1999 as an over-the-counter contraceptive.
“What sets the brand apart is that there hasn’t been any innovation in this product market in more than a decade,” Morrison says. “Now, the conversation about what the pill is and how it works is in need of a refresh, with a perspective shifted toward a younger consumer. Julie is that refresh.”
Morrison says the company’s goal begins with educating women on what the morning-after pill is and the importance of making it completely accessible.
“Obviously, in a post-Roe world, we see the goal of Julie as even more important,” she shared. “It is not abortion, and it’s legal in all 50 states, without ID or a prescription.”
As women in some states have fewer options for family planning available to them, it’s more critical than ever that women are informed about all of their options when it comes to pregnancy prevention.
Through Julie’s one-to-one program, the brand aims to be the largest emergency contraception donor, as it will collaborate with local and state partners to donate one pill for every pill purchased.
Julie challenges the stigmas associated with the morning-after pill by providing learning resources and pushing acceptance.
“Women often go through the experience of deciding to buy the morning-after pill alone. And yet, nearly everyone has either gone through it themselves or knows someone who has. So we want to help women realize this experience is actually a shared one. At Julie, we want to provide people with products that are easy in every way: easy to find, easy to take, easy to relate to, and easy to understand.”
In addition, the brand seeks to spark open and informative conversations among younger generations about sex and the different options women have.
“Education about the morning-after pill is a key part of the refresh Julie is looking to bring. There is a huge misconception that the morning-after pill is the same as an abortion pill—and we found this to be true through our own research,” Morrison explains.
According to statistics provided by Morrison:
61% of women 18-35 say emergency contraception (EC )prevents a pregnancy (with ~39% saying it ends a pregnancy, both prevents and ends, or were unsure)
48% of women 36-45 say EC prevents a pregnancy (with 52% saying it ends a pregnancy, both prevents and ends, or was unsure)
“So, our goal is to educate more women about what the morning-after pill is and isn’t so that they can make more informed decisions—starting from once you see the product on shelves. The box has a QR code customers can scan to pull up an FAQ from our website that is honest and to the point. We’ve also brought on a fabulous medical board that we’ll be tapping into for social content and to help guide us on future moves,” she adds.
‘Everyone Knows a Julie’
The health and wellness professional revealed the inspiration behind the naming of the pill saying, “We knew we wanted it to be a woman’s name, and during focus groups, someone said, ‘Everyone knows a Julie. She’s friendly.’ And we thought that’s perfect!”
The company’s mission was for women to see the product as approachable, always leading with learning and acceptance.
“When I think of who Julie is, I think of the friend you can always talk to. She’s your older sister, best friend, your auntie who has been around the block and will tell you how it is without judgment.”
The Idea Behind Julie’s Vibrant Packaging
Morrison shared that specifics for Julie’s packaging and branding were very important during the production process.
“We heard from women that there is a second walk of shame when going to pick up the morning-after pill,’ she says. “There is that walk when you go to the aisle, and you pick up the national brand, and everybody now knows that one plan failed, and now you’re here to “correct” that mistake. There is so much shame inherent in that walk, and now you have to go to the cashier and potentially feel judged. And if you’re from the South or the Midwest or live in a small town where things are already difficult to talk about, now we’re adding another layer.
“What we’re trying to do is give you a little confidence in that walk. Let’s give you a box that’s as beautiful as the other personal care products you’re gonna pick up. It’s very impactful for people to feel like they have the confidence to go to the store and buy the thing they need, and they’re not gonna have some retribution from that.”
Women Need To Know This About Emergency Contraception
Morrison reiterated that the morning-after pill is not an abortion pill. However, it contains an FDA-approved medicine that helps prevent pregnancy. She believes women must understand that the pill is nothing to ashamed of.
“At Julie, we want to give people the language to better understand what emergency contraception is so that they can have open and honest conversations and be more informed when making decisions,” she says.
Amanda E/J Morrison is the Co-Founder & President of Julie Products Inc. a modern women’s pharmaceutical company focused on empathy and education to help change the face and narrative of healthcare. Previously the Chief Marketing Officer at Underlining, a premium brand studio launching innovative brands across multiple beauty and wellness verticals. She is the co-founder and serves on the board of Mented Cosmetics, a pigment-first beauty brand celebrating women of all hues. A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, Amanda is excited to be an entrepreneur focused on digital strategy and brand building. With a myriad of experiences in finance, consumer marketing, Amanda is very involved in her community through involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, The Junior League of New York, 25 Black Women in Beauty, and Howard Alumni Association.
Tyler Perry Blasts Outlet For False Claims Janet Jackson and Jill Scott Are Holding Up a Movie
Tyler Perry took time out of his busy day to shut down a publication that seemingly fabricated his response to a question about the third installment of Why Did I Get Married?
Perry was recently asked by ET about making the third installment of one of his more popular films that stars himself along with the likes of Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, and more. When asked if there are plans for another Why Did I Get Married film, Perry noted how he’s waiting on approval from the two songstresses on the cast.
“If Janet [Jackson] and Jill Scott say ‘yes,’ there may be a Why Did I Get Married Again?” Perry said.
“So, waiting for them to say it. Waiting for the word.”
Once Scott caught wind of Perry’s response, she sent out a tweet confirming her excitement and involvement in a third installment to the film series.
“@tylerperry , @MichaelJaiWhite @LammanRucker @tashasmith4real @richjonesactor and Sharon Leal already said yes??” Scott tweeted.
“I just got a text message yesterday. Hey @JanetJackson did you get a text message?”
However, once the word was out, one outlet picked up the news and said Perry was calling out Jackson and Scott for “holding up” the third film. Perry posted a screenshot of the article and shut down the claims, as captured by Atlanta Black Star.
“I guess people write these kinds of headlines for click bait. It’s sad,” Perry wrote in an Instagram Story post blasting the article.
“I didn’t call out Janet and Jill and they’re not holding up another “Why Did I Get Married.”
Perry shared how he has yet to draft a script for the third film but does have a concept in mind.
“We’re all fully grown now and I think some of our marriages would be solid and we would be dealing with what most married couples are dealing with at our ages,” he explained.
The billionaire filmmaker noted some of the life circumstances he would be open to tackling in the third installment.
“Menopause, mid-life crisis, our kids going off to start their own lives and marriages and our parent getting older and also how as you mature in marriage it just starts to get better or fall apart,” he wrote.
He ended his message by confirming that Jackson nor Scott are holding up the possibility of a third installment.
“No one is holding up anything and I’m not calling anyone out. Stop it,” Perry quipped.
Sounds like Why Did I Get Married 3 might be on the way.
A Malawi University Nullifies Woman’s Degree After She Lights It On Fire In Viral Video
Landing a job after college graduation is not always easy. But a young Malawian woman proved she had had enough and took her frustrations out on her degree certificate.
Exploits University in Lilongwe, Malawi, has completely nullified a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration awarded to its unemployed graduate, Bridget Thapwile Soko, for setting her certificate on fire in a viral TikTok video, according to Malawian news publication, Nyasa Times.
The footage, uploaded by Africa Facts Zone, shows Soko sitting by a fire while holding her degree to the burning flames. The post confirmed that the woman was upset about her struggles of gaining employment or even an interview following her academic achievement.
“Degree gone,” Soko can be heard saying in the video.
A university in Malawi has revoked a woman’s degree, after she burned her certificate on TikTok for not being able to get a job with the certificate. pic.twitter.com/7klDEE2RMG
On the other hand, Dr. Desmond W. Bikoko, the president of Exploits University, found Soko’s actions to be a “disgrace” to the university and sent a formal letter informing her of the revocation in consequence.
“We have learnt with disappointment that you recorded a video clip burning a degree that we awarded to you upon completion of your studies with Exploits University and posted to social media,” the letter reads.
“It is our interpretation that you did this to disgrace and tarnish the image of the university. The university is therefore revoking the degree of business administration awarded to you. Consequently, you are no longer a graduate of Exploits University and as such your degree certificate is invalidated with immediate effect,” the letter continued.
While some people may not agree with Soko’s actions, they also expressed their contempt against the university for retaliation.
“Revoking an awarded degree is a serious matter that cannot be driven by emotions. This has been a big fail by the university if the letter is genuine,” said Facebook user Kondwani Chirembo, per Nyasa Times.
“This is not an honorary degree and what she has committed is not academic misconduct,” Francis Chiumia also shared on Facebook.
