Harvard University: FIRErequested to remove Nicki Minaj flag from suite window
Cases
Harvard University
Case Overview
FIRE Victory closed
On September 5, 2021, a Harvard undergraduate student tweeted a screenshot of an email from a college employee requesting that he and his suitemates remove a flag depicting a bikini-clad Nicki Minaj from their suite window because it might be considered offensive. On September 10, FIREwrote to Harvard calling for the employee to rescind the request, explaining that the flag is protected speech and the request contravened Harvard鈥檚 commitment to free expression. Harvard did not respond to our letter, but FIREidentified what appeared to be the same flag hanging in a window of the residence hall later that month.