Justice through Creativity...
On May 23, 2017 a Stacy N. Lockett, a 32 year old teacher at the Aguirre Junior High School in Channelview, TX presented 7th grader Lizeth Villanueva (an Honor Student) a certificate that read “Most Likely to Become a Terrorist”. She presented others that read, “Most Likely to Blend in with White People”, and "Most Likely to be Homeless in Guatemala.”, among other such cruel sayings. Apparently the teacher, who is black, told them they were supposed to be funny but they "might hurt [students'] feelings." She also told the students that she did not care how they felt about the mock “awards”. According to reports, other teachers in the school thought the certificates were funny.
I know this kind of insanity first hand. I failed 4th grade in Abilene Texas in 1965 because my racist teacher, Mrs. Sojouner, decided I was somehow a threat to society. Thank God my parents fought the witch. The result was that I was tested extensively and had to go to summer school. She was investigated and was found to have failed a large number of black kids. I was the wrong one for her to have failed because the school district determined that they had never encountered a child of any race that had tested so highly. Mrs. Sojouner was eventually fired and I was passed on to 5th grade. That experience hurt me, as she had wanted it to. I got over it, but could have been damaged badly by it. I thank God for my parents, who overcame their Jim Crow era fears to fight for me! The teacher who committed this heinous act, and the teachers who supported it, are all cut from the same cloth as Mrs. Sojouner. They have grown in the same putrid soil of Texas bigotry and racial insensitivity. They should all be fired and charged with child abuse! If you want to join me in my letters of protest to the Aguirre Junior High School and the school district, here is the contact information: Channelview Independent School District Greg Ollis Superintendent of Schools [email protected] Phone: 281-452-8008 828 Sheldon Road Channelview, TX 77530 Phone 281-452-8010 Channelview Independent School District Board of Trustees 281-452-8008 Aguirre Junior High School Principal - Eric Lathan [email protected] 15726 Wallisville Rd. Houston, TX 77049 Phone: 281-860-3300 Fax: 281-860-3320 Mrs. Stacy N. Lockett AVID Elective Teacher Anthony Aguirre Junior High (281) 860-3300 Ext. 3018 [email protected]
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About this blog.This blog is a place where many of the confluences of my life can be shared. I am, at the core, a creative person. I approach everything from that basis... whether composing symphonies, playing the cello, being a serial entrepreneur, writing sermons and essays, flying airplanes, or creating software apps. I am deeply passionate about creativity, issues of social justice, and spiritual enrichment. These are fundamental to everything I do. Welcome to my journey! Categories
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