Parents of a Crisfield High student voiced their concerns about two of the books that were on their sons required reading list.
“Matt” Lankford said he and his wife received the syllabus for their son’s English class at Crisfield High School and they were “ very concerned” about the inclusion of the novel All American Boys and a second text titled Stamped, which is described as an examination of racism.
Mr. Lankford played an audiobook excerpt of All American Boys for the board, apologizing “up front for the content” which included use of the “F” word along with other profanity and references to drug use.
The fictional story is about a white police officer that brutally beats a young Black teenage boy “for no justification or no reason,” Mr. Lankford said. “I want to bring our society together. I don’t think this book does that.”
And if the school board didn’t know this was being used in the classroom, “then it’s a huge problem.”
In addition to language he counted eight times “they took the Lord’s name in vain, over 50 F bombs...it’s talking about people doing drugs, alcoholism, all the things we try to teach our kids to stay away from.”
Mr. Lankford said the second book, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You has a chapter on Adam and Eve titled “A Different Adam” that notes that Africans “had a different creation story” and “not actually human.”
“Can you imagine a young Black boy reading this,” Mr. Lankford asked the board. “It almost brought me to tears. What is our school system coming to?”
The three School Board Members that were present made no comment, the School's Superintendent asked for more information in writing.
According to Lilly Welch, English and World Languages supervisor for Somerset County Public Schools, the books have been used in the English curriculum for a handful of years.
A response to Mr. Lankford is anticipated in the coming weeks.
82 comments:
SHAME on these so called leaders even giving a 2nd thought to having our children read this! So glad this has been called out. It should be FORBIDDEN, not required.
I was a cop and sometimes you need to step in and give a kid, especially a black kid, a good beating because they don't have a father to straighten them out. Just sayin, don't condemn unless you know everything about the situation.
Many a kid got his path changed thru a man showing him the errors of his way.
Here's the thing. I don't have a problem with foul language, or drug use or whatever. Art is art. BUT- really? 2,020 years of western civilization and this is the best they can do for a reading list? Dickens? Cooper? Hawthorne? Hell, even the western books of Zane Grey-or the Scarlett Pimpernel. The crime of public schools is not so much the crap they throw at kids as the great art they INTENTIONALLY keep kids in the dark about.
Public school is not and will never be about making the dumb kids smarter- it was designed to be all about making the smart kids dumber.
In the old days (when Americans were strong) there would have been a second meeting after the official meeting. Then there would be a vote to replace the school board members who resigned because of their lengthy hospital visit.
Screw the Somerset County Board of Education for allowing these anti-white, anti-cops books into the school system!
Fk YOU, Bobby Wells, you fat Lazy P.O.S.!
Fk You, Fulton Jeffers, you stupid Wicomico County Reject.
Fk You, John Gaddis, the worst Superintendent in the State of Maryland.
You people are nothing but stupid, cop-hating dirtbags!
Gattis should be all over this but he will sweep it
Remember! This is leftist/liberal schools/teachers/school boards which no longer teach critical learning skills but indoctrinate to divide us,confuse us and bust up the traditional family as part of socialist take over. You can find it in writings of Alinsky, Lenon and Mau on how in force socialism on the masses!
The schools have taken out all kinds of books they considered to be bias and now they want to put books that I consider pushes division and hatred. PARENTS DO NOT LET THE SCHOOL BOARDS GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!! DO NOT ALLOW THESE BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
Somerset County Board of Education is a joke. They should be ashamed of themselves for the way they have handled the pandemic. The work that they have issued to the children is a total joke. This CANNOT be the work that these kids are doing in school, if it is then I strongly suggest to the parents to get your kids out of Somerset County Schools. The administration is an absolute joke. Kids are now online and how many look at Facebook and see the second in command under Dr. Gaddis drinking and showing herself in a ridiculous bikini. That is fine if she chooses to do that but DO NOT post those pictures all over social media. No one wants to see her crotch and stretch marks. This is what is in charge of our children's future and it is scary as heck. Parents need to step up and take charge of their children's education and put a stop to this nonsense that is happening within our county. Somerset County Teachers are taking their children out of our schools and putting them in private or other county environments. What does this say for our system. They take our tax money for their paychecks but apparently the system is inadequate for their children's education. And please do not tell me it is for religious beliefs, more than half of them are following the so called elite and religion has nothing to do with it. It is either to follow the co called "in-crowd" or it tells me that our system is truly broken and inadequate. I truly feel sorry for our children, they are doomed!! Dr. Gaddis needs to address these issues and get the administration accountable and PLEASE look our theses kids curriculum. No child should have 5 and 6 hours of homework. It is the teachers responsibility to teach our children, NOT THE PARENTS!! They are still getting paid and if I hear one more comment from a teacher about how much they miss our children. I call BS!! Every year at the end of the school year they are saying on FACEBOOK how they cannot wait to have the school year over. If they are that unhappy and miserable in their 10 month jobs, find something else to do or just plain don't post it all over FACEBOOK.
I hope Mr. Lankford is not holding his breath for a response from that Board. He would be better taking his case to the newspapers. But if a kids uses the F bomb in school he will be suspended. Where is the logic in that?
Parents now is the time to make your voices heard. You must be an advocate for your children. Apparently the school board and school supervisors are not going to so it is left up to you to be the voice. I see more and more children leaving the public system and going to the private sector. When funds start leaving the county due to decrease in enrollment maybe then someone will take notice. It absolutely needs a whole new administration. Good old boys and girls need to go and more professional individuals need to be running our schools.
Racist anti white and anti American liberal crap taught in our public schools> I commend Mr Lankford for taking a stand!
I would file a lawsuit against the school system. You can bet that these books WERE NOT APPROVED. Another BLACK teacher playing racial justice. How about some books about how blacks can't get out of their own way WITHOUT GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS?? How about books about how Black's are taught to HATE WHITE'S from birth to death??
Homeschool. It is the only answer. These schools get paid based on butts in the seat. Pull your kids out. So much out here to use to Homeschool, can start Wor Wic at 15. The only way to make a wave is money. It is the only language these people speak. We are in a crossroads. Who will we allow to educate our children? Socialism is taught. Racisim is taught. Our country is in trouble. Wake up, before it is to late.
2:21 you hit the nail on the head. I have seen it myself and I am in utter disbelief. What has happened to our school system, when teachers were actually teachers. NO BS Facebook show them partying, drinking and half naked. I have seen teachers who act as though they are so religious in public and on Facebook they act like a bunch of heathens. Keep that crap off social media. They are to be an example and I can honestly say I would not want my child to grown up to be anything like what they portray on social media. Hell, some of their own children want nothing to do with them so that tells me something right there. And she is in charge of my child's future, I don't think so. Parents speak up!!!!
We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher leave them kids alone
Love it...... tell it as it is
Yeah right? The wisdom in some of those songs is just, well, just far out man.
If Lilly Welch is correct and these books have been used for years, why hasn't this been brought up before? The democrats have no morals and the teachers unions are all democrats and the children are the ones that will suffer from their actions. Parents do need to step up and make this kind of thing known. Congratulations Mr. Lankford for doing so.
Unfortunately kids don't have consequences for foul language in school anymore. Unless of course they are white. Maryland got in trouble for disciplining in a racist manner, so the DOJ stepped in and said they'd fix it by first lowering all consequences, and second insisting that your percentage of race matches your percentage of suspensions. So white kids get in trouble for lesser offenses to balance out that nonsense.
Enrollment won't go down...the trash breeds faster. It's down to an average of 15 years between generations and they're popping out way more kids than the financially responsible middle class and upper class folks.
It's white apologist teachers too. Brainwashed liberal Karens unfortunately hold many teaching positions.
This is nothing we didn't already know. Yet every year right on cue. The teachers union and Teacher's bitch about not getting paid enough. If this doesn't tell you they aren't worth it?? Nothing will. Then you'll have teacher's coming here telling us how important they are. How hard they work. How underpaid they are. LMAO.
They allowed affirmative action hiring process to take OVER. They aren't teacher's. They are overpaid and undereducated babysitters.
Smoke another blunt low IQ
Anyone else upset that our own children. Can't go to school to learn and live but we can flood the eastern shore with these liberal yuppie kids who's parents pay for them to go to S.U.!!! This power grab has got to stop!! Not to mention ole days wife only got 10days lmfao!! They really are destroying our home chunks at a time now!
Its time to stand and fight not complain and type!!!!!!
When is the last time you sqe a first-time offender get more than that for attempting to buy some pills? Not saying it's okay because it wasn't. Just sayin, if you were married to that jerk you'd need something too
Please voice your concerns to the board AND on election day vote for Matt Lankford & Jacob Shores for Somerset County School Board.
Hang on a second, people in Crisfield CAN READ?!
The high schools are liberal too. They have done you a favor. Homeschool your kids before it is to late.
Don't be stupid, 4:36. If you got nothing to offer, just shut up and stay out of it.
It isn't just the lack of time. It is that she will not have a record. Like it never happened. She will be able to teach again. That is the issue. Where is the example that you can't do certain behaviors or you will lose your job?
4:36
Pink Floyd is not related to George.
By the way, which one was Pink?
The only thing “ridiculous” is your comment about a woman who works longer and harder than anyone ever should have to. She also cares about those kids more than she cares about anything! Why don’t you stop body shaming other people and concentrate on being able to wear a bikini yourself. Clearly you need to stay off of Facebook since everything and everyone on there bothers you so much.
It’s not the teachers choice in that issue. They are told how much work to give. I can say without a doubt that most are not happy with the setup. It is backwards of most surrounding counties. They feel like somerset is in a race to see who can get kids back to school the fastest ... $$$. Also, teachers only get paid for those ten months, and every one That I know work summers. Don’t hate just to hate. Most agree with the previous gripes you have, but it’s unfair to throw them under the bus not having a clue what is asked of them. And in somerset, let me tell you it is a lot that is asked of them.
You are right. The teachers union seems to be quite weak and does not fight for much.
Send you kids to private school. Stop complaining and work extra hours. I’ve done it for 10 years now and will continue. Yes my second job is martial arts instructor and it’s violent but it pays the bills. #trainmorebleedless
@12:38pm and I’m glad you said this because BLACK iconic persons and or stories aren’t taught in Public schools like you said it’s 2020 how about you all shit up and let the teacher teach!!!
@1:12pm All the Fk you’s don’t matter if they don’t know who you are just saying!! :)
Not saying no names but Anonymous 8:51pm Yeah most of the lazy parents who force the school system to raise their unruly privileged children realized how much they needed the overpaid undereducated babysitters huh?? Bet your will be first in line when school opens back up ;)
Sure hope you’ll don’t hold any positions of power because God help us all!!
Your comment is the only thing that is ridiculous. She is the hardest working woman I know. Not only does she CARE about every single child in Somerset county she works her butt off for our schools and our children. You CLEARLY do not know her or what she does or you would know she is not second in command. She is entitled 100% to live her life as she sees fit on her free time (not that she has much because she’s always working ) Absolutely nothing on her FB is inappropriate.
Will do!!!
I have so much that’d I’d like to say to you BUT I refuse to speak about people the way that you have. The thing I will say though is that those ‘stretch marks’ birthed me. I PRAY that no one ever speaks about your mother like that... you are a sad sick person.
Your comment is the only thing that is ridiculous. She children. You CLEARLY do not know her or what she does or you would know she is not second in command. She is entitled 100% to live her life as she sees fit on her free time (not that she has much because she’s always working ) Absolutely nothing on her FB is inappropriate. I think you need to put down your phone and go volunteer in the school system. You will then change your mind and see just how hard the administrators and teachers work for our children. They need praise and a raise, not someone like you who trolls Facebook so they can be bashed on a forum. Go out and get your own life and let others live theirs peacefully.
Your disgusting maybe the black kid should’ve gave your ass a beating
You should thank your lucky stars that “She” is in charge of our kids. There has never been anyone more dedicated to Somerset County Schools than she has.
God forbid kids read something that’s not by a dead white guy.
The same concerns are being made to Washington High School’s admin. It is my understanding that the supervisors and teachers are completely aware and are ok with the contents of these required readings. I implore you to do your research parents, look up ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE by George M. Johnson and hit preview. In the author’s notes it says “within these pages, the word nigger or nights appears, the same is true for fag and faggot” he states “I included these slurs in the text in specific ways for specific emotional and intellectual effect.” So tell be why we would want to do that with 9th grade students in a predominantly black demographic? The introduction entitled “BLACK. QUEER. HERE. states that “This book will touch on sexual assault, including molestation, loss of virginity, homophobia, racism, and anti-blackness.” And goes on to say that these discussions at times may be a bit graphic.... I’m sorry Ms. Welch, Dr. Gaddis, Tom Davis, Traci Bartemy, Ms. Seldon (WHS ninth grade teacher) AND every Board of Education member if you force my child to read this book or the ones discussed further along in this post, I will sue the school system and each of you personally. I will be contacting MSDE to make my intentions known; we the parents of Somerset County are giving you the chance to rectify this; my child will not be forced to read, discuss or write about any of this books contents as a freshman or any other grade level. My child will also not take part in reading STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF RACIST IDEAS IN AMERICA because this is America and we have choice. Nor will my child read the book ALL AMERICAN BOYS for all the reasons Mr. Lankford has expressed. The agenda is clear and as a public school administration you’re blind & out of touch or just too scared. Best be afraid, we parents are coming!!
Let’s be honest when has Washington High or Crisfield High or at their over staffed central office been open to discuss what goes on within their walls? Threats, fights, drugs use by staff or students, inappropriate relations with students, mismanagement of funds—need I go on? It has taken a pandemic to bring to light what our kids are really learning! College and career learning my ass. I agree with Mr. Lankford with the current state our country is in they should be defusing not stirring the already tense proverbial racial shit pot unless Gaddis, Welch, Bartemy and Davis wish to lick the spoon!
It's not just "black" kids though. It's all kids who dont have a real father figure in there life. Somebody has to teach them what's ok and what's not...period.
This is why we need school choice...that way parents can opt out of public school indoctrination and take the tax dollars with them.
If we are referring to the director of schools, I work for the county and none of us know what she does for for the county besides get her unqualified husband as a supervisor and combined collect a quarter million tax dollars in salary + county cars & free gas. Hardest working, yeah right she makes no “direct” contribution and doesn’t even visit the schools or classrooms. That’s because she’s afraid someone might ask her a question that she’s gotta find the answer to because the only “directing” she does is redirecting you to someone else. So please STOP!
Why do you think Maryland is going finally bring kids back and allow sports...only because private schools are doing it and it is making the State look bad.
This virus should have NEVER SHUT DOWN our economy or schools.
I agree don’t hold your breath Mr. Lankford, I met with Gaddis last year he sat there taking notes and acted like he was totally on my side and understood. I handed him proof, gave dates, names, and specifics. He promised to get to the bottom, that the substitute would be removed, shook my hand said he would be in touch the next day. Crickets.... never got a return call or email and substitute remain my son’s teacher for the year. Mr. Lankford take it to the news and thank you Salisbury News Blog for allowing this to be brought to light!
Please shut up. The only reasons he is taking a stand is because he’s running for the board. This is how he’s getting noticed. His own kids probably watch or listen to worse. It’s all an act.
This whole thing is all an act by Matt Lankford. Y’all are being tricked and he is loving the attention because he’s running for BOE.
You do realize all of those “classics” have been challenged for the same reason? Huck Finn: NWord, Moby Dick: homosexuality, To Kill a Mockingbird: sexual assault and N word, The Catcher and the Rye: cussing.
You do realize books literally cannot be taught unless they’re approved? All American Boys was the One Maryland One Book in 2016 which means the state literally chose it over all other books that year
Because no one else is as unstable or racist as these parents complaining. They don’t care about the language they just don’t want their kids reading about a black kid. You think your kids don’t know about race and injustice? Wake up people. I’d rather have my son learn in a controlled environment with a highly educated professional than on the streets.
Parents complain about public school but are too lazy to homeschool their kids if they care that much. Dang I bet their kid watches more on the tv at home with them then they hear at school.
If you are concerned about students at WAHS in Princess Anne (which is 72% black) reading literature that represents themselves and PART of their experience, then pull your kid out and home school then. Now you can breed your racists in peace.
I will let my child read this novel. It’s real life issues. What are you trying to hide from your teenagers? I know if my parents told me I couldn’t read a book, I’d find a way to do it anyway. Matt Lankford and his wife cause issues everywhere they go. I heard Holly Grove doesn’t even want them. Hell their own family members don’t even mess with them anymore. That says a lot.
They for sure do! These parents have a reputation that is ridiculous. It’s all an act to get attention for school board post. These parents cussin and drinkin all the time but wanna complain about a book that shows the real world. If you wanna shield your kids put them in Holly Grove or homeschool them. But nvm, their too lazy to do that even though neither one of them works.
Undereducated? You do realize Maryland teachers are required to continue their education until they have a masters degree or more? How about you teach your own kids if you think those teachers are just babysitters.
Because no one else is as unstable or racist as these two. Good lord they don’t care about the language it’s all because they don’t want their kid reading about black peoples or the real world.
@3:36 you’re right. My son read To Kill a mockingbird and the catcher in the rye. Guess what? He liked them both. He’s a straight A student, and neither book changed him for the worst. They’ve both been banned in the past. Stop banning novels. Pathetic. You can’t shield children from real life forever.
Take your kids to a private Christian school if you can’t handle public.
3:27 I couldn’t give a rat’s ass if Mr. Lankford is running for BOE seat, his kid is a 9th grader so he’s entitled to speak against what affects his family. The 9th grade ENGLISH syllabus for CHS and WHS was NOT created to educate but clearly to divide. You clearly don’t have a 9th grade student at either school so your opinion isn’t need so STFU!
@428 you are right. They are racist and just don’t want their kids learning about the black struggle. Complaining about taking the lords name in vain when they cuss and the kids cuss themselves. Hypocrite much?! Please don’t buy into the Lankford motives. It’s all a big act.
3:24pm, 3:27pm Have you lost your mind!!!!This is NOT AN ACT! My husband and I have supported this school system for years. Who do you think started the new career and technology center? WE DID FOR 2 YEARS, and no one would listen to us. Everybody said we were crazy to think this would happen. We push through and made it happen. We didn't ask for credit, we did this for our children in the county. If people knew the whole story from: the commissioners, to the board, etc. your heads would spin!!!! We gave positive feedback on our schools and teachers. We have also voiced our concerns when we see a problem that needs to be address. So to say my husband is tricking everyone is a lie!!!! If he wins then he wins, if not that's ok. We will always keep fighting for the children of this county!
@1147 seems you’re the one blind and out of touch. Mad because students are reading something other than the white life? Thought so. Homeschool
Your kid. It’ll do the teachers a favor.
You’re right. I have dealt with them personally and they cuss all of the time. So why so concerned about language? These kids hear more in the hallways at school anyway. More in songs and on tv. Matt loves this attention, negative or positive. Fake fake
I’m raising mine right and my kids are part of the 72%. I agree with their post, my kids wouldn’t be reading that trash either if they were in the 9th grade! I wouldn’t want an entire year of education wasted reading about thug life choices and excuses. I grew up in the townhouses and swore I wouldn’t have my kids live like we did. I got an education and a great job because of my choices. Whomever wrote that post deserves a decent education for their kid white or black too so step off!
As a parent, I am grateful that these inappropriate reading materials are being questioned. Hope parents take the time to evaluate as this is designed to insight racism amongst our youth.
@11:25 she absolutely does have a record, and has already lost her ability to ever teach again. You've been misinformed.
I absolutely agree @3:24.. In the article it says he thinks reading these books will cause more racial tension!! But what about us Black Folks that know how he an his wife feels about us Blacks!! Not a good look if you are in the running for a boe seat!! That’s for sure..
Heck No!! If I had more than two thumbs he would have more thumbs down.. That is all
Bhahahaha
I wasn’t aware you paid for it. Eyeroll.
Moby Dick (considered one of the classics) contains homosexuality. But you wouldn’t blink twice if your kids were assigned the reading. Wonder what the difference is?? Bigotry is bigotry. Guess what? There’s all kind of people that make up the world. Black, white, straight, gay, non-binary. Literature is a direct reflection of that. Get over yourselves and keep your bigotry inside your own home.
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