Trouble is brewing in the Oyster River School District after Rachael Blansett was hired as the new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Director. (DEIJ) Why? Because of some of what she has shared on her podcasts, and social media accounts. She may have revealed what she really thinks about white people.
You can watch the Oyster River School Board meeting where the Superintendent falls over himself at the beginning defending his decision to hire Blansett. He comes to her defense in spite of the evidence that her views appear to be on the far left of the political spectrum. Community members are also concerned that her views reflect bigotry and hatred that could be directed at their children.
As you listen to Superintendent Jim Morse defend this ridiculous decision to hire Blansett, think about how he would have handled this situation had he hired a white employee who had made the exact same statements about black and brown people.
The public comments start at 32:30 when Joshua discusses his background in the military and now works in the industry. He mentions that he’s been through DEIJ presentations but that many times OTHER of the voices are not heard. When that happens, it becomes indoctrination from those with vengeance and resentment.
Deb is the next parent at 35.48 who asks about opting out of DEIJ. She proposes having a spiritual way to help kids who need to be prayed for.
**I have to ask where are those resources? This is an excellent question to ask. DEIJ is supposed to be based on the non-discrimination laws. Those laws include equal justice for other groups of people in the protected classes. Discrimination against religious teachers and students is just as wrong as it is against any other protected class. Without addressing the other protected classes, a case can be made before the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. We all have equal protection under the law.
Jill speaks at 39.09 and is disturbed by Blansett’s Instagram and Podcasts where she reveals her feelings. She notes that a podcast was made two weeks ago. She’s embarrassed by Blansett because this is now a reflection on the school district. She wisely brings up that this money could be used for teacher training instead. Blansett does not have the experience for what they are looking for, and is concerned about what Blansett really thinks.
Darren, who speaks at 41.45, tells the Board that he did not bring his kids to Oyster River to drag his kids through ugly partisan politics. He tells the Superintendent that he hired a flawed candidate.
Jim is another speaker who you can find at the 49:28 mark. Jim works in Human Resources and offers some statistics on hiring practices. 94% of employers conduct background checks. 70% check a candidate’s social media accounts. He asks Blansett, what are you saying behind closed doors if you are putting that kind of information out there publicly?
Jeff speaks at 52.40 and mentions the t-shirt that Blancett wears proudly on her social media accounts. It says, Pro-Black, Pro-Queer, Pro-Hoe. He mentions that he had to look up what Pro-Hoe means and tells the board that it means Pro-Whore.
This is another example of a school spending tax dollars in an effort to radicalize and politicize the teachers and students in New Hampshire. We are seeing this in districts like SAU21, where they have hired a radical political organization to train the teachers. We saw it in SAU16, where the Superintendent, David Ryan, pushed Critical Race Theory through his commitment to DEIJ. They currently employ a DEIJ Director at a salary higher than the teachers in the district.
CRT is more hatred and bigotry falsely presented as a way to fight racism. It’s not. Most people want children to learn to respect each other, but CRT is more about pushing blame and shame on white kids while forcing black and brown children to see themselves as victims. Instead of uplifting all children to be more compassionate and caring, they are made to feel like they are oppressors or oppressed. No wonder so many have social and emotional problems. They have to deal with this pseudo psychology in school.
The parents in Oyster River are concerned about Blansett’s statements that “White People Are Not Ok” and that “White People Don’t Wash Their Legs, and Cant’ Dance.”
Blansett has cleaned up her social media accounts, so you will not be able to access some of what she’s said publicly. But Darren, in his comments to the school board, made the comment, “when people show you who they are, believe them.” It appears as if the parents have taken Blansett at her word.
As schools move to politicize their teachers and children, what will happen to the enrollment numbers? One parent mentioned how he was concerned about placing his kids in the district if this continues. Will this help the school choice movement as more and more parents become frustrated by this kind of ugly partisan politics aimed at their children?
Real social justice warriors should be hiring academic content experts who can provide the best education for the black and brown children. This would help all of the children in the district. Why not equip the marginalized students with knowledge so that they can pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor, scientist, or any other profession? Instead, they are inundated with a woke ideology that does nothing to help them qualify for top colleges.
Asking teachers to evaluate the books they choose for their students to read would help. Are children reading stories of courage, honesty, kindness, and compassion? Books that can help build good characteristics in the children they educate?
If DEIJ Directors would focus on academic excellence, a safe school environment that addresses bullying, and engaging parents in the community to get behind uplifting all students, I suspect the comments would be very different.
Superintendent Morse has found a way to divide the community, and that could spell more dumbing down for the marginalized children they say they want to help.
That’s what happens when you hire political activists instead of apolitical content experts that could improve the quality of education in the Oyster River Schools.