Terminated

GoFundMe.com picture
Johnathan Perkins

From the Bruin: An official in UCLA’s office of equity, diversity and inclusion said UCLA fired him Monday over social media posts in which he expressed satisfaction about the murder of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. UCLA put Johnathan Perkins, the EDI office’s former director of race and equity, on investigatory leave in September after he posted comments in which he appeared to celebrate Kirk’s death on the social media platform Bluesky. Kirk was shot dead Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University on the first stop of his The American Comeback Tour, in which he debated college students across the country...

“It is OKAY to be happy when someone who hated you and called for your people’s death dies—even if they are murdered,” Perkins appeared to say in a social media post...

Ralina Joseph, the vice provost of inclusive excellence, appeared to say in a Monday notice of intent to terminate employment sent to Perkins that he engaged in “serious misconduct” and violated several University policies related to workplace violence and ethical standards...

Perkins also appeared to wish death on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – a member of the court’s conservative wing – in a March 2022 tweet, according to ABC News 4. Perkins appeared to refer to Thomas as “Uncle Thomas” in another tweet, which is meant to describe a Black person who is accepting of white supremacy...

Perkins created a GoFundMe to support himself amid a loss of income and to cover the costs of the lawsuit, according to the fundraiser website. He added that his termination of employment has forced him to relocate to Philadelphia, where his family lives. “UCLA terminating my employment is upending my entire life – personal and professional,” he said. “Without this role, I am being forced to upend my living situation, and of course, search for new employment.”

Full story at https://dailybruin.com/2026/01/13/former-ucla-edi-official-says-he-was-terminated-over-charlie-kirk-posts.

We noted back in 2022 at the time of the Clarence Thomas incident that it isn't necessary - or even advisable - to tweet or otherwise post every thought that pops into one's head:

https://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2022/03/ucla-saved-by-slap.html.