Psychology students banded together this week to criticize Jeb! Bush after the Republican presidential candidate told an audience at a South Carolina town hall that psych majors are “going to be working [at] a Chick-fil-A.”
The comment came during a conversation with Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy; Bush noted that it’s “important to have liberal arts” before launching into a critique of the practical application of a liberal arts degree.
“I don’t think we should dictate majors. But I just don’t think people are getting jobs as psych majors. We have huge shortages of electricians, welders, plumbers, information technologists, teachers,” Bush said.
The comments by Bush, who majored in Latin American studies at the University of Texas, prompted a backlash on social media. Psychology majors and liberal arts supporters launched the hashtag #ThisPsychMajor to showcase the earning potential and social impact of psychology degrees:
Hey @JebBush, #ThisPsychMajor is an award-winning Physician Anesthesiologist. pic.twitter.com/k4ouCwUiyd
— Kristina (@PrttyShnySprkly) October 30, 2015
#ThisPsychMajor helps youth and parents cope with #mentalhealth issues. pic.twitter.com/IjijSoY3Tb
— Dr. Erlanger Turner (@DrEarlTurner) October 26, 2015
Hey @JebBush #ThisPsychMajor… Support the jobs/educations that support others. pic.twitter.com/W7E7iXvvF2 — Wendy Lady (@NerdRage42) October 24, 2015
#thispsychmajor has a very simple message for @JebBushpic.twitter.com/gzzsRZKVF5
— Ian Gutierrez (@IanAGutierrez) October 25, 2015
[h/t Washington Examiner]
[Image via Wikimedia Commons]
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