Red Mosquito

Bi_3 wrote:Quick reminder:

CRT ≠ BLM

4/5 wrote:This seems like the right place for this. The school where I teach has blocked the release of this year's yearbook because it contains a two-page spread on BLM. The last few days of this school year just got a lot more interesting.

4/5 wrote:This seems like the right place for this. The school where I teach has blocked the release of this year's yearbook because it contains a two-page spread on BLM. The last few days of this school year just got a lot more interesting.

Green Habit wrote:

4/5 wrote:This seems like the right place for this. The school where I teach has blocked the release of this year's yearbook because it contains a two-page spread on BLM. The last few days of this school year just got a lot more interesting.

Sigh. Who was responsible for the creation of the yearbook?

Green Habit wrote:

4/5 wrote:This seems like the right place for this. The school where I teach has blocked the release of this year's yearbook because it contains a two-page spread on BLM. The last few days of this school year just got a lot more interesting.

Sigh. Who was responsible for the creation of the yearbook?

4/5 wrote:Our yearbook advisor just sent out a breathtakingly scorched earth email absolutely eviscerating administration for this decision.

JuanHamm wrote:

4/5 wrote:Our yearbook advisor just sent out a breathtakingly scorched earth email absolutely eviscerating administration for this decision.

Can you share this with us?

To the School Community,

The Yearbook program at School has recently been criticized and censored for the inclusion of a Black Lives Matter (BLM) spread in the 2020-21 Yearbook. The Administration has decided, due to concerns about the spread’s content, voiced by external and internal School stakeholders, that the book will not be available for distribution or purchase until further notice. The students who created the yearbook are understandably upset and have written letters, attached to this email, discussing their frustrations and concerns. As their adviser, it would be negligent and irresponsible for me not to discuss how the aforementioned actions by the Administration impact the program, the student body, and the School Community.

The mission of The Yearbook is simple – to create a quality book that depicts the newsworthy stories from the year that apply directly to our student body. Our students follow the journalistic process and apply various skills to produce a single print, annual product. The permanence means that our students hold themselves to the highest standards of integrity at all times.

The staff, editors, and adviser review all coverage in The Yearbook to ensure events are depicted accurately and responsibly. Due to the nature of the product, not all events can, nor should be covered. When determining which stories will comprise the yearbook, we consider timeliness, proximity, impact on the student body, and historical significance. At all times, we remember that our main obligation is to the School student body to produce an accurate depiction of what they experienced.

BLM, which discusses racism in our communities, is an important and necessary topic to include in the yearbook. BLM, as a movement, does not suggest that other lives do not matter or that some lives are more valuable than others. It does, however, address and acknowledge systemic racism and the struggles that people, because of their skin color, face on a daily basis. We are proud of our coverage in the BLM spread, attached to this email, for what it says, what it means, and what it symbolizes. The fight against racism is newsworthy by any journalistic standard and its inclusion is not political or based on viewpoint, but is an application of the values of the journalism program. We stand by the decision to print every word on these pages and do not regret nor retract any message contained therein.

Not every story has, or should include, an opposing viewpoint. While some individuals in the School Community may believe a discussion of the “All Lives Matter” or “Blue Lives Matter” movements is warranted, The Yearbook wholeheartedly disagrees. Stating “All Lives Matter” is equivalent to stating “all houses matter” when one in the neighborhood is on fire. It is the same as attacking the “Save the Turtles” movement for not including all forms of sea life. Advocating for one group does not mean you are attacking another, but using a countermovement distracts from the discussions that must occur about how people of color are impacted by racism.

The Yearbook appreciates the sacrifices that law enforcement and their families make, but does not believe the yearbook is the appropriate forum for the inclusion of the “Blue Lives Matter” movement. The “Blue Lives Matter” movement was created as a countermovement to BLM and has co-opted the message of BLM to advocate for a different cause. When used as part of the same dialogue with BLM, which asks for police accountability, the message of “Blue Lives Matter” is offensive in its application and defeats the purpose of the BLM spread, while negating BLM’s message. Simply, “Blue Lives Matter,” especially when included with BLM, qualifies the value of Black lives.

Earlier this academic year, while on a Teams call, a student made racially insensitive remarks to his classmates. Now, due to concerns over the inclusion of a BLM spread and the lack of opposing coverage, the distribution and sale of the yearbook has been suspended. These actions perfectly summarize the importance of, and need for, the BLM spread. Taken together, these actions show School has failed to have open and honest conversations about recognizing Black humanity.

Indefinitely suspending the yearbook over a spread advocating for education about racism is not what a “world class” school does. It is not how a “family” should “spread its love and light” and act in accordance with the principles of mindfulness. The Administration had the opportunity to review the BLM spread before publication and chose not to, thereby tacitly approving its inclusion. The current actions by the Administration effectively communicate to 77% of the school population, nearly 2,000 non-white students, that their struggle and quest for equality and justice is inferior to the discomfort of others.

The censorship of the yearbook via the Administration’s reactionary and abrupt actions has greatly offended many individuals and led to potentially irreparable harm to School stakeholders. The mission of the School District to address social inequities through courageous conversations is countered by said actions. With only days left in the school year, The Yearbook requests immediate action to remedy the above concerns, at a minimum, by reinstating yearbook sales and distribution, as the reputation of the school, the yearbook, and the well-being of the student body hang in the balance.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

JuanHamm wrote:Is that a fair comparison, do you think?

I don't really know how to go about comparing BLM and the rise of Communism.

It doesn't seem to me that BLM is about anything except recognizing that Black lives matter. If that's true then it's only really a political statement because so many people disagree or feel threatened by it. I could be naive though, I don't really follow politics very closely anymore.