California school district offers 'White student support circle' after Derek Chauvin trial, apologizes later
A California school district is getting flak for offering a “support circle” for White students after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder in the death of George Floyd. On April 20, a jury found the former Minneapolis police officer guilty on all the counts he faced over the death of George Floyd.
Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, third-degree murder, with a maximum sentence of 25 years, and second-degree manslaughter, with a maximum sentence of 10 years. The sentencing date for Chauvin has been set for June 16.
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And while the verdict has been generally praised, a TikTok video showed an email from Piedmont Unified School District’s assistant superintendent about a “White student support group” for “white students who would like to discuss how the trial, verdict, and experiences related to the George Floyd murder are impacting you.”
Posted by TikTok user @sueyd_, reportedly a student in the district, the email from a district staff member to students informed them of an April 29 “White Student Support Circle”. The TikTok user then asked his viewers to “make it go viral.” He said, “I’m tryna talk hella s**t at school.”
Superintendent Randall Booker released a statement on Saturday, April 24, calling the email’s subject line referring to a “White student support group” as “a poor choice of words” that “led to the perception that White students needed the same kind of ‘support’ as our BIPOC students.”
“We are living in an extraordinary time that holds the promise of breaking down barriers and creating, finally, a world that is safe and just for people of all races and backgrounds. Our students, in many ways, are role models for this work. They have a keen awareness of the racial injustices that have permeated our society and are not afraid to call out sentiments, statements, or actions from adults that violate their sense of justice,” wrote Booker in the statement.
“We saw an example of that this week in our community when students reacted to an email from district staff that invited them to participate in restorative circles by affinity groups to process reactions to the Derek Chauvin verdict. The District’s intent was to give our BIPOC students a safe space to talk with others from similar racial backgrounds and to provide White students with an opportunity to talk about how to be an ally,” the statement said.
“A poor choice of words in the subject line of the invitation to White students led to the perception that White students needed the same kind of ‘support’ as our BIPOC students,” he said. “Students of all racial backgrounds rightfully pushed back on that idea. We agree, and we want to affirm in the strongest terms that our commitment is to give all students a place to express their feelings and to learn how to engage in important issues.”
Booker further said, “Everyone in our community has their own unique role and responsibility in the work of anti-racism; affinity groups advance equity by meeting the particular needs of each group in doing the work of eliminating systemic injustice,” adding, “The intent of a circle for White allies is to discuss how to be a better ally in the pursuit of racial justice. Additionally, we are planning to offer circles open to all in order to give students of different backgrounds a chance to process together.”
“The Piedmont School Board made a strong commitment to racial justice in a resolution and board policy passed last year,” he said. “I encourage you to take time to read the resolution and policy to learn about the commitment the Board has made as it guides our work with students and staff. We recognize that the journey of anti-racism is hard, and we will keep educating ourselves and learning from each other as we travel. This week the students reminded us that words matter. Even when the intention is honorable and right, we need to communicate with sensitivity and care. We thank all who communicated with us on this matter. Your feedback made a big difference and helped us clarify how we will communicate moving forward.”
The same TikTok user later shared a screenshot of an apology email to students and parents regarding the “White student support circle.” It read: “Our intention in providing a separate meeting space with White students is to teach what it means to be an ally. It was not to provide a space to process because the institutions that are controlled and designed by White people are the ones causing harm.” TikTok user @sueyd_ dubbed it the “worst apology I’ve ever seen in my life.”