Teacher Calls Parents 'White Supremacists' For Raising 'Critical Race Theory' Concerns
At school board meeting, parents spoke out on race-centered curriculum, mask mandates and remote instruction
A teacher in the Grand Ledge school district used social media to label parents of children attending its schools white supremacists who use ‘Q talking points.’ The comment came after parents expressed concerns at a recent school board meeting about critical race theory. They also spoke about a “diversity, equity, and inclusion” curriculum then under consideration.
"Q talking points" is a reference to an internet conspiracy theory.
The parents addressed the school board on June 14 after learning it planned to vote on implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, curriculum. The board was also planned to incorporate DEI in its training and hiring practices.
Julie Boruta, a special education teacher at Beagle Middle School, posted on Facebook during class hours on June 15, the day after the board meeting:
“Grand Ledge teachers, parents, and generally ANYONE that cares for how our district moves forward…An EMBARRASSING board meeting last night, where our (now hopefully if he wants to come here) soon to be superintendent was SUPPOSED to have his contract ratified, was shut down by Q talking point supporters. It’s SO DISGUSTING. This is white supremacy RIGHT HERE in GL. We MUST be louder than them!”
A video posted of the school board meeting showed parents addressing their concerns over critical race theory, DEI and potential mask mandates for the 2021-2022 school year. Others threatened to pull their students or gave notice they had already done so over the issues.
In 2020 the school board created its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, after it fired the district’s superintendent for referencing George Floyd’s criminal history on social media. The committee submitted a report in June recommending the district adopt DEI-based policies. In August the board voted to hire a diversity, equity, inclusion and student support director, with a salary of $100k.
Beagle Middle School Principal David Kushman did not respond to a request seeking comment on Baruta’s remarks.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.