A mother in Iowa is reportedly facing backlash after she addressed a school board about the content related to Black Lives Matter (BLM) that her 12-year-old son is being exposed to.
Elaine Catherine, who recently became a U.S. citizen from the Dominican Republic, informed that her son was shown a graphic PG-13 film without prior consent, which appears to violate state regulations. Following this, discussions in class focused on BLM and police brutality, prompting Catherine to voice her concerns to the school. In response, she received a letter from a law firm representing her son’s teacher, accusing her of being abusive and threatening legal action.
“As a newly naturalized citizen, I believe I have the right to shape this country as I see fit. There’s no better place to live and raise a family,” Catherine said. “Receiving such a discouraging letter from a civil servant, who is supposed to educate, was shocking. Still, I’m determined to advocate for my son’s rights and the rights of parents nationwide.”
Catherine objected to the film “Till,” which graphically depicts the murder of Emmett Till, a black teenager who was lynched in 1955 Mississippi. She expressed concerns about the portrayal of racism in the film.
Efforts made by Catherine to speak with her son’s teacher were met with dismissal. She claims the teacher declined to engage in a dialogue about BLM. After unsuccessful discussions with the school principal, Catherine escalated the matter to the Belmond Community School District Board of Education.
A letter she received, as reported, was from her legal counsel, indicating suspension and removal of the teacher involved. Interestingly, Catherine states she never even mentioned the teacher’s name during her meeting.
“I felt really scared,” she recalled. “It was overwhelming, and I thought, ‘I can’t keep quiet about this.'” Her lawyer advised against discussing the situation publicly.
“I hope you understand how serious this is and encourage you to conduct yourself accordingly,” the letter concluded.
Neither the Belmond Community School District nor the School Board replied to requests for comment. Will, Catherine’s lawyer, stated on Tuesday that “Mrs. Catherine will not be intimidated,” and dismissed the claims made by the teacher’s legal team, sending a letter to counter their assertions.
Will emphasized that Catherine continues to assert her parental rights, advocating for opt-outs from educational materials and curriculum that she finds objectionable.
According to Iowa Code §279.77(2), parents and community members have the right to object to educational materials and request reconsideration. The educational laws in Iowa prohibit the promotion of stereotypes based on demographic groups.
The BKCSD Board of Education policy supports the community’s right to challenge the educational materials used in schools, stating that it’s the principal’s responsibility to establish regulations regarding these requests.
Corey Brewer, an attorney for Catherine, remarked that “nothing said by our client is defamatory,” asserting that attempts to silence her through legal means are inappropriate. “Elaine has every right to express her concerns openly and inform other parents that they shouldn’t be bullied into silence.”
Notably, the suspension letter did not clarify what was deemed objectionable, and the teacher’s legal counsel contested the claims of defamation, saying the terms were inaccurately defined.
