After Missouri's Tim Wolfe Resigns, Twitter Reacts: Students And Protesters Rejoice, Critics Respond On Social Media
University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe's sudden resignation Monday was a cause for celebration among student and faculty protesters on campus who demanded attention to recent racist incidents at the school in Columbia. But it was also a trending topic on social media: Within an hour of Wolfe's announcement at an emergency board of curators meeting at Mizzou, his name had been tweeted more than 20,000 times, according to Topsy analytics.
"The resignation of Tim Wolfe will be the first of many steps in a long process of healing within our community," the undergraduate student government wrote. "Thank you to all of the supporters throughout the world on this issue."
Those supporters seemed to be everywhere online Monday after the meeting, which came one day after the Mizzou football team announced it would not play until Wolfe stepped down. The team is set to play Brigham Young University Saturday -- a roughly $1 million event -- but had refused, inspired by a graduate student's hunger strike organized to demand Wolfe address racial tension on campus. Jonathan L. Butler consumed only water for a week after African-American students reported hearing racial slurs yelled at them and a swastika drawn in feces appeared in a residence hall Oct. 24, according to previous International Business Times reporting.
Butler himself tweeted after Wolfe's speech that his hunger strike was "officially over." He added:
__________
All glory to God!
— JB. (@_JonathanButler) November 9, 2015
This is only the first step! More change is to come!!
#TheStruggleContinues #ConcernedStudent1950
— JB. (@_JonathanButler) November 9, 2015
In his resignation speech, Wolfe said he hoped students and faculty would "use my resignation to heal" and change the campus climate. The student body there is about 7 percent black, 3 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Asian and 77 percent white, according to the school's diversity initiative. "The frustration and anger that I see is clear, real, and I don't doubt it for a second," Wolfe said. "I take full responsibility for this frustration."
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon called Wolfe's resignation "a necessary step toward healing and reconciliation" in a statement. He added: "There is more work to do, and now the University of Missouri must move forward – united by a commitment to excellence, and respect and tolerance for all."
Nixon wasn't the only public figure backing Wolfe's decision -- actress Gabrielle Union and activist Shaun King also joined the thousands of users tweeting their support Monday. See a few of their messages below:
Supporters rejoice over Tim Wolfe's resignation. #ConceredStudent1950 pic.twitter.com/pk0iidkJRA
— Tana Kelley (@tanakelley24) November 9, 2015
Tim Wolfe has resigned!! #ConcernedStudent1950 pic.twitter.com/EelvrpEqxx
— Tia (@tiatamjam) November 9, 2015
NEVER underestimate the power of students. Our voices WILL be heard.
— Payton Head (@MSAPresident) November 9, 2015
College football players just discovered how powerful they are. Next target (I hope): the NCAA.
— Waldo Jaquith (@waldojaquith) November 9, 2015
truth to power.
I'm so unbelievably proud of these kids.
Mizzou President Resigns
https://t.co/cwruZ0phA1
— Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) November 9, 2015
The University of Missouri deserves a president and campus that loves and advocates for tigers of ALL stripes. One step closer to the goal.
— T Reid (@TReidiculous) November 9, 2015
However, not everyone thought Wolfe's resignation was the right move. Here's what critics were saying Monday:
Tim Wolfe gives in to the stupid protest and resigns. How ridiculous
— Emily Hilliard (@ehilli99) November 9, 2015
I hate 2015 and how twitter makes it so easy for nonsense to seem like sound logic. What happened to Tim Wolfe was uncalled for and wrong.
— Mason Brown (@itsmasonbrown) November 9, 2015
If Missouri students think that racism is just going to disappear with Tim Wolfe's resignation they are stupid.
— Tony Simms (@R33S33) November 9, 2015
I support YOU Mr Wolfe @UMPrez
This is #UNFAIR and #WRONG.
Hypersensitive and out of control!
#TimWolfe #Pressured. #StrongArmed? #Forced?
— Ann Stafford (@SprayCanAnn) November 9, 2015
Mizzou president resigns despite doing nothing wrong. Mob gets another scalp.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) November 9, 2015
Honest, sincere question: What was Tim Wolfe's sin?
— John Walters (@jdubs88) November 9, 2015
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