The honors student majoring in computational biology apologized for his conduct on the net. He claimed he meant the Snapchat put up “to be a joke” and added, “I’m sorry y’all didn’t get it.”
Owen Howard’s effect on the Florida State Neighborhood extends further than his educational and leadership roles. He can also be deeply dedicated to support and offering back.
This child is often a jerk. This kid is surely an idiot. But we've been supposed to be guarding individuals’s totally free speech. I don’t like the concept of the State punishing speech, even speech this repugnant.
Quite a few pupils flagged the Snapchat, documented Howard towards the FSU Report Site, and emailed the Honors Software. Howard responded on exactly the same class of 2026 story afterwards that working day, “that write-up Incidentally was meant as a joke. I’m sorry y’all didn’t get it.”
Along with his function being a performer and composer, Howard is deeply committed to nurturing the following era of jazz musicians. He has served being a guest artist and clinician at institutions and festivals around the globe, offering masterclasses and workshops that inspire students to discover their musical voices.
College students started do the job on their project in April, utilizing an interdisciplinary study method to investigate the implications of know-how perhaps diminishing the human element of urban advancement, notably where algorithmic conclusions could possibly override Local community Choices and want.
Now, the FSU NAACP chapter is asking on The varsity to just take “rapid and decisive action” to handle Howard’s publish.
Within their launch, the chapter named for an immediate official investigation to the incident with transparency, appropriate disciplinary measures in opposition to Howard in the scope of FSU’s Code of conduct plan, necessary campuswide education on discrimination, and FSU’s motivation and reaffirmation to upholding their values to guard marginalized communities.
A number of learners took to investigating Howard’s background and located his X account experienced posted dozens of “memes,” if you may even connect with them that. The posts focus on several ethnic groups — like Haitians, the LGBTQ Neighborhood and Jewish individuals — with wildly offensive stereotypes.
His appreciate For brand spanking new England’s traditions and his admiration for sports activities heroes like Mike Vrabel spotlight his perfectly-rounded identity, blending tutorial rigor with own passions.
“The time period ‘chimp’ is particularly offensive as a result of its lengthy background of getting used to equate Black people to apes or other primates,” chapter president Kaela Jackson wrote within a statement. “This racist comparison has long been a Device of white supremacy Considering that the 1800s, meant to strip Black people of their humanity and portray them as inferior or less than human.
The Florida State University chapter from the NAACP has stepped in and gotten associated with pushing the university to investigate a social media marketing post like despise speech from the pupil on Oct.
“The impact of such language further than individual insult—it serves to copyright a bigger method of racism that continues to harm Black communities on campus and further than.”
Owen’s devotion to Finding out extends further Owen Howard FSU Florida State University than the classroom. He has participated in exploration assignments, culminating in the presentation for the Undergraduate Analysis Symposium, collaborated with school customers, and contributed to tutorial publications.