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Centennial Elementary: Outrage as Denver school opens playtime for 'families of color'

Conservative journalist Christopher Rufo called the now-canceled event 'racially-segregated playtime'

An elementary school in Denver, Colorado, has been slammed after it announced a playtime for “families of color” at its playground. Centennial Elementary School held the event for families of color to gather and play on December 8, which has now been postponed due to the Covid-19 protocols. But people found it racist as conservative journalist Christopher Rufo called the affair “racially-segregated playtime”.

Taking to Twitter, Rufo shared the picture of the school’s notice announcing the event. He captioned it as “Denver Public Schools now promoting racially-segregated playtime—for ‘equity.’” In another tweet, he mentioned: “According to Centennial Elementary staff, this event was organized by the school's ‘Dean of Culture,’ Nicole Tembrock. The event was canceled due to COVID protocols, but they plan to reschedule in the new year,” before adding, “University of Denver law professor @davekopel points out that this is illegal under the Colorado Constitution. The ‘Families of Color Playground Night’ —a form of state-sanctioned racial discrimination—is a monthly activity at Centennial Elementary.”

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A number of people agreed with Rufo. A critic sarcastically asked, “What do the kids with one white parent and one black parent do? Or an adopted child who is black and who has white parents?” Another one said, “We’re going to be segregated again, and somehow they will spin it that it’s the white conservative males fault.” “It’s like they are training kids into a racist product. If this continues, the product will desire and request segregated work space as they age into the work force,” the third one added.

A person noted, “This whole racism disguised as progress phenomenon is so backwards.” The second one wrote, “I now live in a world I do not recognize. On one hand, it makes sense, considering I'm 35, and only getting older. But I never guessed it'd be so completely flipped upside-down/archaic.” A tweet read: “I live in Denver and this is real. I know a family who left this school because of all of the racial segregation and divisive curriculum.”

In a statement, Centennial Elementary School officials defended their stand and told Fox News, “Our school leaders met with some of the Black families whose children attend our school to determine ways for these families to feel more included in our school community. Some of these families shared with us that, since the only time many of them see one another is at drop-off and pick-up times, we host some events where Black families can meet one another, connect with one another and share their experiences about the school with one another. We are honoring their request. All families are welcome to attend all of our events, and families from a variety of backgrounds have done so.”

“Denver Public Schools remains committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusion and belonging, where our students, families and team members are safe and welcomed,” the statement added.

Some people showed their support to the school on Twitter as a user shared, “All colors, red, yellow, black and white All precious in his sight. That is how I am reading the sign. I hope more see it that way.” Another one said: “a one wednesday in a month event, at an open playground, for black and brown folks, where white folks are welcome, just not fore-fronted or honoured perhaps... is ‘state sponsored racial segregation’?”