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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A surprise visit by the conservative Blexit movement to Howard University’s homecoming ignited tensions between student activists and right-wing campaigners aiming to expand their influence at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
• The visit, part of Blexit’s “Educate to Liberate” campus tour, comes in the wake of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk’s death, which has elevated the group’s national profile but not its acceptance on HBCU campuses.
🔭 The context: Blexit, a Turning Point USA-affiliated movement originally co-founded by conservative influencer Candace Owens, seeks to recruit young Black conservatives at HBCUs
• Its visits to campuses like Howard—often uninvited—have been met with protests, institutional resistance, and limited student engagement
• While the group claims it wants to foster open dialogue on entrepreneurship and political independence, many students view its messaging as antithetical to the values and lived experiences of Black communities
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: While the issue is not environmental in nature, it underscores the broader challenge of navigating ideological divides within institutions central to racial and social justice
• HBCUs are increasingly seen as incubators for environmental justice, climate activism, and equitable energy transitions
• Political polarization and outside influence risk fragmenting student coalitions that are critical to advancing sustainability, social equity, and community resilience agendas in underserved populations
⏭️ What's next: Blexit plans to continue its HBCU tour despite being asked to leave campuses such as Tennessee State University and seeing other stops canceled
• With minimal student turnout, unclear messaging, and growing protest from civil society groups like Refuse Fascism, the group’s outreach strategy faces credibility challenges
• Howard and other institutions are likely to continue advising caution and protecting student spaces from politically charged disruptions
💬 One quote: “You have this Blexit group coming to Howard, promoting those ideas and being a Black face on white supremacy. That is dangerous for Black people, and it’s dangerous for humanity.” – Lucha Bright, Refuse Fascism activist
📈 One stat: Blexit claims to have a presence on 21 college campuses, with 17 unofficial clubs reportedly formed as a result of its tour
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