The black, female principal of Chicago’s Whitney Young school is being called on to resign for enabling “systematic oppression” after she told students at the school not to participate in violence or looting, but rather get a degree and get a “seat at the table.”
The principal of a well-known Chicago high school is under pressure to resign because, among other ‘problematic’ acts, she’s urged students to “not participate in violence or looting.” She, a black woman, is thus far refusing: https://t.co/Si2SPzJggS
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) June 13, 2020
The Chicago Tribune reports:
[Joyce] Kenner, who previously worked for the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has not been immune to criticism for her response to Floyd’s death and more broadly her leadership at Whitney Young, where she also spent five years as assistant principal.
Now, after 25 years at the helm of Whitney Young, she finds herself the target of an online petition, posted by unnamed “disappointed alumni,” calling for her to resign, claiming she has “silenced student activists speaking against all forms of injustice. Her silence and her enabling of the systematic oppression that her black and low-income students face should be condemned.” So far it’s gained more than 800 signatures.
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Other critics have focused on more recent events. Several students told the Tribune they were offended by statements Kenner made in a video address about unrest sparked by George Floyd’s killing, in which she asked that if students do protest, they not participate in violence or looting, and said the way to seek change is to get a degree and get a “seat at the table.”
“We can’t have a seat at the table if we’re dead because we were shot by a cop,” one senior said, who added she doesn’t want Kenner to resign but that students deserve a bigger voice.
Students already have a voice, probably a bigger one than their life experience entitles them to; she just thinks they should avoid violence and looting and use their voices instead.
Please stop being ridiculous. #ThisIsNuts https://t.co/dSnjpsHj9m
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 13, 2020
Hope she stays true to her beliefs and values.
— PD Anglea (@pd_anglea) June 13, 2020
So, some preferred that students participate in violence & looting?
What fine examples!— Just Me (@MYtruthMYtweet) June 13, 2020
This has to stop. What is their end game, that's what I want to know.
— Cactus Rose (@Cactusrose5) June 14, 2020
So because she didn't want her students involved in criminal activity…they want her to resign?
Crazy world..— sammystreet5 (@sammystreet51) June 13, 2020
Telling students to not break the law? pic.twitter.com/4nkjYmyTrj
— Leroy Jake (@leroyjake93) June 13, 2020
Unbelievable
— Richard Kwon (@RichardHKwon) June 13, 2020
Another woman of courage, refusing to be used or exploited by the white liberals.
— Pat (@AiredaleWestie) June 13, 2020
I hope she continues to stand strong in her integrity.
— cynthia burns (@pastorcab) June 13, 2020
Hope she continues to stand firm against the mob. Bless her. We need more courageous people like her.
— Demeter33 (@Demeter336) June 13, 2020
This is true leadership.
— Brad Jerome ?? (@Bradjeromegmai1) June 13, 2020
Good for her. We need strong leadership in our schools
— Pam Riley (@jayhawksmile96) June 13, 2020
She is indeed what they need. Shameless what is happening.
— Pat Vesperman ???? (@patves) June 13, 2020
She should be applauded. Everything is upside down.?
— Suze (@suzeroo217) June 13, 2020
Stand strong, Ms. Kenner. Creating better people will create a better future.
— Suzanne Matheson (@SAMatheson2332) June 13, 2020
For her part, Kenner says she’s not resigning: “Nobody is going to push me out.”
Related:
Man arrested for vandalizing statue of Christopher Columbus is a middle school social studies teacher https://t.co/ChoDSHKY3A
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) June 13, 2020
