Utah Rep slams ‘racist,’ ‘Marxist’ narrative in education, goes after ex-Harvard president

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) slammed what he called a “racist” and “Marxist” narrative in education Thursday, going after former Harvard University President Claudine Gay.

Owens slammed “the current narrative is that Blacks can’t compete intellectually,’” during an interview with anchor Blake Burman on “The Hill on NewsNation.” 

Owens, who is Black, went on to say Black people “can do everything that anyone else can do, given the opportunity.” He also criticized the idea of “oppressed” peoples and “oppressors.”

“It’s racist; it’s Marxist,” Owens continued.

He also called Gay a “fraud.”

“She cheated to get where she is,” Owens said of Gay, who faced accusations of plagiarism. 

In a New York Times op-ed Wednesday, Gay said her resignation was “wrenching but necessary,” and that she and Harvard are “under attack.”

“My character and intelligence have been impugned. My commitment to fighting antisemitism has been questioned,” she wrote. “My inbox has been flooded with invective, including death threats. I’ve been called the N-word more times than I care to count.”

“My hope is that by stepping down I will deny demagogues the opportunity to further weaponize my presidency in their campaign to undermine the ideals animating Harvard since its founding: excellence, openness, independence, truth,” she added.

“The Hill on NewsNation” airs Monday to Friday at 5 p.m.