Douglas Olsen
In 2018, a white undergraduate student at Columbia University was caught on camera shouting white supremacist remarks at a group of mostly Black students. The student, identified as sophomore Julian von Abele, followed the group from Butler Library to a campus restaurant around 4 a.m., shouting statements such as White people are the best thing that happened to the world and We invented science and industry... we saved billions of people from starvation!. The incident sparked outrage and prompted university officials to release a statement condemning von Abele's actions and promising an investigation. This incident is an example of the racial tensions and controversies that have occurred at Columbia University in recent years, including the detention of a student activist, Mahmoud Khalil, by US immigration officials in 2025 for his participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 11 December 2018 |
| Name of the student | Julian von Abele |
| Course of the student | Physics |
| Year of the student | Sophomore |
| Target of the remarks | Black students |
| Location of the incident | From Butler Library to a campus restaurant |
| Time of the incident | Around 4 a.m. |
| Content of the remarks | "White people are the best thing that happened to the world." |
| Additional comments by the student | "We built the modern world! Europeans! We invented science and industry... We saved billions of people from starvation!" |
| Response from the university | Condemnation, promise of investigation, invitation to an "open reflection" hosted by Multicultural Affairs |
| Response from student organisations | The Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the Columbia University Student Organization of Latinxs demanded action and acknowledged the impact of the incident on students of colour |
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What You'll Learn
White student's racist rant at Columbia University
In December 2018, a white undergraduate Columbia University student named Julian von Abele was captured on video shouting white supremacist remarks at a group of mostly Black undergraduates. The video, which went viral, showed von Abele following the group of Black students from Butler Library to a campus restaurant around 4 a.m. on a Sunday, shouting, "White people are the best thing that happened to the world." He also made comments such as "We built the modern world! Europeans! We invented science and industry... we saved billions of people from starvation!" and "I love myself! I love white people! F--- yeah, white people. F--- yeah, white men. We're white men, we did everything."
The incident sparked outrage and was condemned by the university, which released a statement saying, "At Columbia, we stand firmly against white supremacist language and violence." The university also invited students to an "open reflection" hosted by Multicultural Affairs on campus and promised an investigation into the incident.
Kwolanne Felix, one of the Black students harassed by von Abele, expressed his disappointment and hoped that the university would take further action. "They should definitely try to talk to the students that were affected by that and ensure everyone’s OK because that’s really hard to internalize," Felix told the Columbia Daily Spectator.
In response to the incident, the Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the Student Organization of Latinxs planned to discuss a plan of action during board meetings. The Student Organization of Latinxs released a statement on Facebook, emphasizing that "this type of incident does not happen in isolation" and demanding that Columbia University address the issue as an institutional problem perpetuated by its administrative, academic, and business practices.
Von Abele, who describes himself as a physicist on his social media accounts, later issued a statement to the Associated Press, claiming that he was "theatrically and sarcastically demonstrating that whites are not allowed to embrace their cultural achievements." He added that he regretted the exchange and acknowledged that it was "not the right venue to discuss the value of identity politics."
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Student's identity as Julian von Abele
In December 2018, a white undergraduate Columbia University student named Julian von Abele shouted white supremacist remarks at a group of mostly Black undergraduates. The student, who was apparently intoxicated, followed the group from Butler Library to a campus restaurant at around 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning. During the incident, von Abele shouted statements such as "White people are the best thing that happened to the world", "We built the modern world! Europeans! We invented science and industry...", and "I love myself! I love white people! F--- yeah, white people. F--- yeah, white men. We're white men, we did everything."
Von Abele's racist tirade was captured on video and subsequently went viral on social media. The video prompted outrage and condemnation from Columbia University students, alumni, and administration. The university released a statement condemning the incident and promising an investigation. The Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the Columbia University Student Organization of Latinxs also spoke out against the incident, demanding that the university address the underlying institutional problems that contribute to such incidents.
Julian von Abele, a sophomore at the time of the incident, described himself on his social media accounts as a physicist. Interestingly, von Abele authored a 218-page book in 2015 titled "Physics Reforged: The New Theory of Parallel Universes, Hidden Dimensions, and the Fringes of Reality." The book's description on Amazon notes that "Julian began developing new theories of physics in the eighth grade."
The incident involving Julian von Abele highlights the persistent issues of racism and white supremacy in academic institutions, even at prestigious universities like Columbia. It serves as a reminder that the fight against racial discrimination must continue and that educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering inclusive and equitable environments for all students.
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University's condemnation of the incident
Columbia University has been quick to condemn the incident involving a white student shouting supremacist remarks at Black undergraduates. The university released an official statement, saying:
> "At Columbia, we stand firmly against white supremacist language and violence."
The university also promised an investigation into the incident and invited students to an "open reflection" hosted by Multicultural Affairs on campus. The incident has caused outrage among students, with the Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the Student Organization of Latinxs planning discussions and actions to address the issue.
The undergraduate deans at Columbia College have also issued a statement, denouncing the "deeply disturbing racially charged incident." They have stated that the matter is under investigation by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. The university's response has been one of resounding criticism, with officials taking steps to address the incident and support affected students.
The university's response reflects its commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. The incident has brought to light the need for continued efforts to address racism and promote diversity and inclusion on campus. The university's swift condemnation and promise of action are important steps in holding individuals accountable for their actions and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Student's defence of his actions
In 2018, a white undergraduate Columbia University student, Julian von Abele, was filmed shouting racist remarks at a group of mostly Black students. Von Abele followed the group of students from Butler Library to a campus restaurant at around 4 a.m., shouting statements such as "White people are the best thing that happened to the world" and "We built the modern world! Europeans! We invented science and industry... we saved billions of people from starvation!".
Freedom of Speech
Von Abele's remarks, though offensive to many, could be argued to fall under the protection of free speech. In the United States, the First Amendment guarantees individuals the right to express themselves without interference from the government. While von Abele's comments were widely condemned, including by Columbia University itself, some may argue that he has the right to express his opinions, no matter how abhorrent they may be to others.
Right to Provoke and Challenge
Some may argue that von Abele's comments, while controversial, serve to provoke thought and challenge mainstream narratives. They may claim that his statements are a form of counter-speech to what they perceive as dominant ideologies on college campuses, which are often seen as leaning towards political correctness and left-leaning politics. This defence often comes up in cases of controversial speech, where the speaker intends to shock and provoke a reaction.
Intoxication
It was reported that von Abele appeared to be intoxicated during his tirade. While this does not excuse his behaviour, it could be used as a mitigating factor in his defence. His state of intoxication may be used to argue that he was not in full control of his actions and that his comments do not reflect his true beliefs or values.
Lack of Intent to Cause Harm
While von Abele's comments were undoubtedly offensive, it is unclear if his intent was specifically to cause harm or incite violence. Some may argue that he was expressing his beliefs, however misguided they may be, and that his intention was not to incite hatred or violence towards other racial groups. This defence is often used in hate speech cases, where the speaker claims their comments are protected opinion or hyperbole rather than a direct call to harm others.
Right to Free Expression and Academic Freedom
Colleges and universities are often considered spaces for the free exchange of ideas and the exploration of diverse viewpoints. Some may argue that von Abele's comments, while offensive, fall within the realm of protected speech in an academic context. They may claim that universities should be spaces where controversial ideas can be discussed and debated, even if they are widely rejected by the majority.
It is important to note that these defences do not excuse or justify von Abele's racist remarks, which caused significant harm and distress to the targeted students and the wider Columbia University community. The defences outlined above represent potential legal or rhetorical arguments that could be made in response to accusations or disciplinary actions, reflecting the complexities that can arise when balancing free speech with the need to uphold an inclusive and respectful academic environment.
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Student reactions and demands
In December 2018, a white undergraduate Columbia University student, Julian von Abele, shouted white supremacist remarks at a group of mostly Black students. Von Abele's racist rant was captured on video and went viral on social media, sparking outrage and prompting reactions and demands from students and student organizations.
Student reactions to the incident included shock, anger, and exasperation. One student, Kwolanne Felix, a witness to the incident, stated that von Abele made those statements to elicit a reaction from the group of Black students. The video shows the group of Black students shouting in outrage and groaning in exasperation as they listened to von Abele's rant.
In response to the incident, the Columbia University Black Students' Organization announced on Facebook that it would be discussing a plan of action during a board meeting. The Student Organization of Latinxs (SOL) also released a statement on Facebook, expressing solidarity with marginalized communities on campus and acknowledging the triggering nature of the incident for students of color. SOL demanded that Columbia University recognize the incident as an institutional problem perpetuated by its administrative, academic, and business practices. They called on the university to hold von Abele accountable for his actions.
In addition to student organizations' statements and demands, Columbia University invited students to an open reflection hosted by Multicultural Affairs and promised additional areas of support. The university also released a statement condemning the incident and affirming its stance against white supremacist language and violence. The undergraduate deans at the college issued a statement denouncing the "deeply disturbing racially charged incident" and confirmed that an investigation by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards was underway.
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Frequently asked questions
The student was heard shouting ""White people are the best thing that ever happened to the world" at a group of Black undergraduates.
The student also said, "We built the modern world! Europeans! We invented science and industry... we saved billions of people from starvation! We did everything."
The student was identified as sophomore Julian von Abele.
The university denounced the incident and invited students to an "open reflection" hosted by Multicultural Affairs on campus. The undergraduate deans issued a statement, calling the incident "deeply disturbing" and said it was under investigation.
Students rallied in response to the attack, demanding action from the university. The Columbia University Black Students' Organization and the Columbia University Student Organization of Latinxs also released statements on Facebook, expressing their concerns and calling for institutional change.
