Approximately three weeks ago, Student Body Vice President Jaren Stewart, along with several other members of the Senate and student body attendees, sat for the Pledge of Allegiance during a Clemson University Student Senate meeting. This is a silent protest in order to acknowledge that, while the United States claims to be a nation of equality, there are still major issues of racial discrimination. Let us just be clear, this is not a protest of the flag itself, the men and women fighting in the military, or any other boycott that people are trying to make it out to be. It is simply a way to peacefully bring attention and awareness to a very real social issue. Now, three weeks later, there is an impending impeachment trial for Vice President Stewart. According to the Senate member bringing up the charges, Miller Hoffman, this trial is not based on that silent protest, but on the allegations found in an illegally leaked document posted on a highly conservative website. I am speaking out as an individual whose Clemson experience has been impacted by the contributions of Jaren Stewart and I will not sit silently while the Senate that I elected tries to take this away from me.

I attended the Senate meeting on October 23rd in which Senator Hoffman, for the second time, brought up the articles of impeachment. First, and foremost, I would like to express my disgust at the cowards that decided it was permissible to bring up these charges without the accused present to defend himself. Vice President Stewart, along with Student Body President Killian McDonald and Attorney General Janay Crosland were attending a conference in Washington D.C. While the student government bylaws state that this is within the legal proceedings, it is clear that the accusers were concerned they would not be able to have their motion passed if Vice President Stewart had the opportunity to speak for himself. Instead, they presented a one-sided story, using an illegally leaked document as their body of evidence, and presenting allegations and assumptions as if they were facts. One argument was made that Vice President Stewart was able to watch the debate through the live stream; but, again, he was in D.C. fulfilling his governmental duties, unable to sit and watch a three hour witch hunt.

Campaign photo of Vice President Jaren Stewart with President Killian McDonald

Ignoring these facts, Senate made the decision to move forward with a trial. Senator Hoffman has stated his basis for impeachment of Vice President Stewart as not fulfilling his vice presidential responsibilities in addition to allegations of unethical behavior found in the illegally obtained document. Look at these accusations individually though: According to Article I Section 3 of the CUSG Constitution, the vice president’s responsibilities are as follows: “The Student Body Vice President shall have the power to assist the Student Body President in the appointment of the President’s Cabinet and any other positions required by legislation.” However, Hoffman has failed to present any evidence demonstrating how Stewart has not fulfilled this one and only required duty. With regards to the accusations in the document, as was confirmed by a present member of the Office of Community and Ethical Standards, the office that filed the document in question, these allegations were already investigated, and a verdict reached. The office then closed the case. They also stated that if all of the allegations had been found true and severe enough to raise concern about Vice President Stewart’s ethics, the office themselves would have removed him from his position as vice president. However, this was not the case, and the Senate is simply performing a legally permissible form of double jeopardy in order to impeach Stewart.

Student Body Vice President Jaren Stewart has gone above and beyond in order to make Clemson University a more inclusive environment and openly worked outside of his realm on various philanthropic projects. Stewart and other members of the student government created the Clemson Disaster Relief Fund (CDRF), an initiative designed to provide worldwide assistance to victims of natural disasters, most recently the series of hurricanes. CDRF has raised over $3500 so far with the help of the student body and the support of student government. Along with this, an entire truck load of supplies was personally delivered by Stewart and Lucas Anderson, the Campus and Community Development Director, to a church in Greenville. These items have since been shipped and are now in Puerto Rico. However, Stewart’s strongest aspect is his support and promotion of underrepresented communities on Clemson’s campus. He worked with President McDonald to add an LGBTQIA+ Engagement Director to their cabinet in order to allow for those students’ opinions to be heard. Stewart is a minority voice that the Clemson student body has elected. He has given minority groups the opportunity to have their voices heard within student government and reminded these students that they have just as much of a right to be a part of the Clemson family as any other student on campus. There is no denying the fact that this impeachment has racial motivations. Stewart presents new ideas and innovations that create a conflict of interest with other members of the student Senate. He is turning the focus to the real issues of Clemson, such as its persistent racist tendencies and a lack of minority representation. The definition of racism states, “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.” Racism has been seen on Clemson’s campus ranging from the, “Cripmas party,” several years ago, to the posting of a white supremacist flyer on the front door of the Fike Recreation Center just earlier this week. Vice President Stewart is bringing light to issues that many student and staff leaders would like to sweep under the rug. Racism and differing political views are the hidden motives behind Stewart’s impeachment trial.

Killian and Jaren ran for president and vice president on the platform, “More to Our Roar.” Vice President Stewart’s ‘roar’ may have upset some of the traditional and conservative members of the student government, but our student body voted for the opportunity to receive all that he has yet to offer.

Lastly, for Miller Hoffman, to the question you asked out of order at the Senate meeting a week ago, “Are you calling me a racist?”

Yes, I am.