Princeton Protests: Saga of the ‘Black Princeton’ Chat Purge

On Wednesday, I posted a screenshot taken from the “Black Princeton” group chat consisting of students and alumni. The image shows that undergraduate Kennedy Primus enticed people to join the pro-Palestinian protest on campus with the promise of bagels, and further reassured new recruits that there were “masks, hats, and umbrellas available for anyone who is concerned about their identity being revealed.” Then, she requested help for an “urgent need”: “PLEASE send me videos of our protestors looking peaceful! Our lawyer says that these are desperately needed.” (A stunning Freudian slip: Looking peaceful.)

Shortly after I shared that image, the group chat devolved into a struggle session — and I received more screenshots, which I similarly posted online. Student Reina Coulibaly wrote, “I have to believe that the leak is a non-black person in this chat bc I have faith in OUR community. Whoever is the leak (whether or not they are Black) is not part of our community. Keep your friends close because it is true that we keep us safe. Black liberation and Palestinian liberation go hand in hand, and THIS IS OUR TRADITION. We know who we are and where we come from.” Student and subpar detective Jordan Johnson wrote, “whoever leaked these messages please identify yourself. i have evidence to make a reasonable conclusion as to who it is, and if you don’t respond in the next minute i will kick the person or people out whose social media have been tied to the person on twitter.” (Emphasis mine.) Then, three people (whom I haven’t spoken to since I graduated last year) were expelled from the chat. A new standard was born: If you follow Abigail on Twitter, then you ain’t black.

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Abigail Anthony

Abigail Anthony is a staff writer at National Review.

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On Wednesday, I posted a screenshot taken from the “Black Princeton” group chat consisting of students and alumni. The image shows that undergraduate Kennedy Primus enticed people to join the pro-Palestinian protest on campus with the promise of bagels, and further reassured new recruits that there were “masks, hats, and umbrellas available for anyone who is concerned about their identity being revealed.” Then, she requested help for an “urgent need”: “PLEASE send me videos of our protestors looking peaceful! Our lawyer says that these are desperately needed.” (A stunning Freudian slip: Looking peaceful.)

Shortly after I shared that image, the group chat devolved into a struggle session — and I received more screenshots, which I similarly posted online. Student Reina Coulibaly wrote, “I have to believe that the leak is a non-black person in this chat bc I have faith in OUR community. Whoever is the leak (whether or not they are Black) is not part of our community. Keep your friends close because it is true that we keep us safe. Black liberation and Palestinian liberation go hand in hand, and THIS IS OUR TRADITION. We know who we are and where we come from.” Student and subpar detective Jordan Johnson wrote, “whoever leaked these messages please identify yourself. i have evidence to make a reasonable conclusion as to who it is, and if you don’t respond in the next minute i will kick the person or people out whose social media have been tied to the person on twitter.” (Emphasis mine.) Then, three people (whom I haven’t spoken to since I graduated last year) were expelled from the chat. A new standard was born: If you follow Abigail on Twitter, then you ain’t black.