OSU student leader says he wants black people to be taught they're 'superior' in student government meeting on CRT

An Ohio State University student in a student government position is facing backlash for stating he believes black people are "superior." The Undergraduate Student Government parliamentarian made the controversial statement about black supremacy while speaking at a General Assembly meeting in late March.

Third-year student John Fuller, who majors in human development and family sciences, said while presenting a resolution on the General Assembly floor to condemn anti-critical race theory legislation that hopes for a world where "black people were taught that they are superior" as he "full-heartedly believe[s]."

Prior to the statement, Fuller said white people learn through lived experiences that they're inherently superior while black people are not taught in schools that they're superior. "I would love to live in a world where black people were taught that they are superior. I would love it because I full-heartedly believe that," Fuller said on March 23, according to The Lantern. "But that's not the case."

Fuller claimed during his remarks on the floor that white supremacy is a "relatively new" and "heavily debated" term that's not taught because "a lot of people don't like calling white people superior." He added during the meeting, "That by taking away the teaching of one race as superior to another, that is inherently white supremacy because white people learn from birth that they are superior. There is nothing that they need to be taught in school that tells them that."

USG president Jacob Chang told the student newspaper that once Fuller made the comments, General Assembly speaker Bobby McAlpine dismissed the parliamentarian, emphasizing that the chamber does not support his rhetoric.

General Assembly members reported footage and audio recordings of the meeting to the Office of Institutional Equity. Chang said it's the governing body's "responsibility" to report the case, adding that multiple senators considered impeaching Fuller for his behavior, but the impeachment process would not have concluded before his last day working in the current USG administration.

"The comments made during the General Assembly session is fundamentally, like, diverging from our values as the student government of Ohio State..."Chang said. "I think we need to stand in solidarity with all people of color and anyone who suffers from racism, but we need to do it from a space that is unilaterally empowering everyone around them, instead of like single out one group."

While the resolution censuring anti-CRT legislation passed in the General Assembly, Chang said that Fuller presented it as "empowerment and another form of like supremacy" that was "inherently racist." Chang said he hopes the university takes action against Fuller and proceeds with the case. "No matter what race you are from, what background you are from, you cannot say stuff like that," he said.

Critics have observed that Fuller's statements are indicative that college students on OSU's campus are being taught racist beliefs as part of anti-racist curriculum.

"Critical Race Theory endgame," Mythinformed Milwaukee, who posted video of the meeting to social media, commented. "Critical Theory is interpreted by ADULT educators to mean racial superiority/inferiority. Imagine the uptake when this is being taught to KIDS. Confusion at best. Instilling long lasting hatreds at worst."

The group also noted that Fuller is likely on the career path to teach children.

According to a September 2019 bio, Fuller said he practices "Black consciousness." Black consciousness is "a mental understanding of Black individuality and uniqueness," Fuller said on his website. "Intellectual curiosity has enabled me to see discrimination and prejudice as ideas that are put into peoples' minds, creating mental barriers that are hard to overcome. I understand the Black community has made an immeasurable impact on academia, art, literature, and American culture."