Recently, students at South Carolina State University took a stand against Republican Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, who had been selected as the 2026 commencement speaker. A video posted by TikTok user Sexyyahhleo (Vae) on TikTok shows one particular student laying out everything she felt was wrong with choosing Evette, given the college’s ties to Black history.
In Vae’s video, the student claims Pam Evette is pro-Trump and that Trump doesn’t stand for any of the students at SC State University. “She supports ICE” and “South Carolina State University has a history of being pro-activist,” were two of the points she made. She believes that Evette doesn’t stand for any of the things they stand for, so they question why she’s allowed to speak there.
The speaker goes on to say their school has many activists and progressive-minded people. She then asks, “We acknowledge that every year. So how can someone that doesn’t even respect that come and encourage us and uplift us at a graduation?” They question if she’s coming to speak for a good reason on behalf of them, or if she’s just trying to push the fact she’s running for governor again.
Pam apparently didn’t like the negative attention she was getting and posted her own response to the collective protests against her appearance via Facebook. In her video, she stated, “Bring it on” and “Facts trump feelings in the real world. President Trump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history. I must be doing something right because ‘woke mobs’ are coming after me like a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses…”
Unfortunately, as seen in the TikTok video, administrators had little to no response about her upcoming speech. It appears she will continue to make her appearance as per the school. Students, however, aren’t staying silent.
How People Online Are Reacting to Protests Against Pam Evette
Numerous comments on Vae’s TikTok video were of varying degrees of anti-Pam rhetoric. Many also celebrated the student’s protest and gave their support. One TikTok user wrote, “I hope my kid grows up to be courageous and principled like these students,” while another said “No to Pamela Evette!”
Several viewers wanted to offer their support any way they could by signing the petition linked in Vae’s TikTok profile. “I don’t even attend SCS but I will be signing this petition!” one viewer wrote. One person even went as far as to state they won’t be transferring to SCSU if Pam gets her way.
Some commenters offered possible solutions to get Pam sidelined, such as reaching out to alumni of SCSU. “The way to speak is through dollars… Many may choose to withhold their donation and that may be the traction you need.” Others argued they should appear at Pam’s speech to protest rather than be a no-show to make a statement.
For students of SCSU, one commenter suggested they “opt out of walking across the stage.” Though she understands students worked hard, it doesn’t take away from their “success… nor does it take your degree away.” Others chimed in and added that said students would remember their protesting and “be proud of it.”
