A University of Cincinnati professor is on administrative leave for referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” in an email to a student.
John L. Ucker, an adjunct instructor in the university’s engineering and applied sciences department, was put on leave with pay effective immediately on Friday,one day after engineering student Evan Sotzing posted an email he received from Ucker on Twitter that went viral, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
“For students testing positive for the chinese virus, I will give no grade,” the email from Ucker’s university account read. “You can read the info I sent to the class re: the torsion test.”
Sotzing, a 20-year-old junior, said he got the email after his girlfriend tested positive for the coronavirus, causing him to miss a lab due to guidance from the university’s health department instructing him to quarantine over the potential exposure.
“I really just want him to apologize,” Sotzing told WKRC. “I want a sincere apology for his comment.”
Sotzing said he was shocked that “anyone in power” would use such xenophobic language. His post with Ucker’s email had been retweeted 37,700 times as of early Wednesday and prompted a response from the university’s president.
“There is no place for bigotry in our community or any other,” UC President Neville Pinto tweeted Friday. “Every Bearcat deserves to feel welcome, respected and supported. Greatness starts with inclusion. And inclusion starts with each of us.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, September 25, 2020
Trump on Meghan Markle: ‘I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it’
President Trump on Wednesday slammed Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle after she and Prince Harry implicitly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
“I’m not a fan of hers,” Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing.
“And I would say this — and she probably has heard that — but I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it.”
Markle, 39, is a Los Angeles-born former actress who married Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson in 2018 before being blamed for the January #Megxit of the couple, in which they abandoned their royal duties to move first to Canada, and then to the US.
The couple effectively endorsed Biden in a recent video clip filmed for Time magazine.
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“I’m not a fan of hers,” Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing.
“And I would say this — and she probably has heard that — but I wish a lot of luck to Harry, because he’s gonna need it.”
Markle, 39, is a Los Angeles-born former actress who married Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson in 2018 before being blamed for the January #Megxit of the couple, in which they abandoned their royal duties to move first to Canada, and then to the US.
The couple effectively endorsed Biden in a recent video clip filmed for Time magazine.
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Rep. McCarthy threatens vote to oust Pelosi as speaker if she tries impeachment
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to call for a vote to oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she makes an effort to impeach President Trump to block him from nominating a Supreme Court justice.
“I will make you this one promise, listening to the speaker on television this weekend, if she tries to move for an impeachment based upon the president following the Constitution, I think there will be a move on the floor to no longer, or the question of her being speaker,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“She may think she has a quiver — we do too,” he said.
In an appearance on ABC News Sunday, Pelosi refused to rule out trying to impeach Trump or Attorney General William Barr in an effort to stop the nominating process for the president’s Supreme Court pick in Congress.
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“I will make you this one promise, listening to the speaker on television this weekend, if she tries to move for an impeachment based upon the president following the Constitution, I think there will be a move on the floor to no longer, or the question of her being speaker,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“She may think she has a quiver — we do too,” he said.
In an appearance on ABC News Sunday, Pelosi refused to rule out trying to impeach Trump or Attorney General William Barr in an effort to stop the nominating process for the president’s Supreme Court pick in Congress.
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Protesters seen grabbing shields from U-Haul after Breonna Taylor decision
Organized protesters were seen grabbing protective gear and pre-prepared signs from a U-Haul in Louisville, Kentucky, just moments after the announcement that local cops were not being charged in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
‘Shields, we got shields!” a woman’s voice shouted as dozens of people rushed over to a rental van parked downtown in the now-viral footage seen more than 4.6 million times Thursday.
A woman was filmed unloading supplies from the back of the U-Haul as others took out shields as well as numerous pre-prepared giant signs, some reading “Abolish the police” and “Abolition now,” the clips show.
Others had anarchy signs, as well as a three-arrow symbol that has been linked to Antifa.
An apparent onlooker was heard saying that it was clear they “came here with a strategy”.
‘Shields, we got shields!” a woman’s voice shouted as dozens of people rushed over to a rental van parked downtown in the now-viral footage seen more than 4.6 million times Thursday.
A woman was filmed unloading supplies from the back of the U-Haul as others took out shields as well as numerous pre-prepared giant signs, some reading “Abolish the police” and “Abolition now,” the clips show.
Others had anarchy signs, as well as a three-arrow symbol that has been linked to Antifa.
An apparent onlooker was heard saying that it was clear they “came here with a strategy”.
Proud Boys denied Portland rally permit over COVID-19 concerns
Right-wing group the Proud Boys were denied a permit for their planned Saturday rally in Portland, city officials announced Wednesday, citing coronavirus concerns.
The proposed rally at Delta Park in north Portland was expected to draw 10,000 Proud Boy supporters. Two concurrent counter protests by left-wing groups were also planned in the city, including one in the same park.
Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau said in a statement that the city denied the permit over the estimated size of the rally, which they said would violate coronavirus safety measures.
“We must all do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe. Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed,” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the city’s parks department, said in the statement.
Ahead of the rally, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, gave the Proud Boys a cold reception on Twitter.
The proposed rally at Delta Park in north Portland was expected to draw 10,000 Proud Boy supporters. Two concurrent counter protests by left-wing groups were also planned in the city, including one in the same park.
Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau said in a statement that the city denied the permit over the estimated size of the rally, which they said would violate coronavirus safety measures.
“We must all do our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep ourselves and each other safe. Events like this are not welcome and are not allowed,” Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who oversees the city’s parks department, said in the statement.
Ahead of the rally, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, gave the Proud Boys a cold reception on Twitter.
“On September 26th, agitators plan on coming to Portland to spread messages of hate and racism — values we don’t welcome here in Portland,” Wheeler wrote.
“If you intend to come to our city, our home, to spread hate and provoke violence, don’t,” he said.
“If you intend to come to our city, our home, to spread hate and provoke violence, don’t,” he said.
Enrique Tarrio, a leader of Proud Boys, which has been deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the rally would be peaceful. He also urged anyone planning violence to keep out.
‘Mulan’ is the latest proof Hollywood has become a Chinese propaganda factory
Hollywood is accommodating a new era of McCarthyism, imposed this time by Red China.
It involves everything that Hollywood tells us that it hates censorship, pressure to conform and blacklists. Yet the studios have seamlessly absorbed Beijing’s dictates into their operations.
This most iconic American business is now, literally, an agent of Chinese influence.
The latest outrage is Disney’s live-action remake of the animated 1998 movie “Mulan,” based on Chinese folklore about a girl enlisting in the army. Disney filmed parts of the movie in China and, in its credits, thanks Chinese propaganda departments as well as a public-security bureau in the province of Xinjiang, where Beijing is carrying out its hideous campaign against the Uighurs.
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This most iconic American business is now, literally, an agent of Chinese influence.
The latest outrage is Disney’s live-action remake of the animated 1998 movie “Mulan,” based on Chinese folklore about a girl enlisting in the army. Disney filmed parts of the movie in China and, in its credits, thanks Chinese propaganda departments as well as a public-security bureau in the province of Xinjiang, where Beijing is carrying out its hideous campaign against the Uighurs.
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The Post asks … Can you find Joe Biden?
That’s after The Post found that President Trump has answered five times the number of questions from reporters in the two months from mid-July to mid-September, 1,141 to a scant 274.
Americans deserve to hear more from the man who wants to be president, and who is willing and able to face tougher questioning.
ABC's Jonathan Karl: 'A big chunk of the country' believes the press is now 'the resistance'
ABC News chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl expressed his concern about how the general public views the press during the Trump era.
During an interview with Mediaite, Karl discussed the tense relationship between White House reporters and President Trump, something he suggested has had "negative consequences" with many Americans.
"I do believe that unfortunately, there is a big chunk of the country that believes that the press is now the resistance and I think it's really unfortunate and I think that it has negative consequences for a free press. I think it has negative consequences for our democracy," Karl told Mediaite on Thursday. "But I think that the aggressive questioning of the president, particularly now in the wake of what we've seen unfold with the pandemic is absolutely necessary. Not only justified but necessary.
He went on to walk back the harsh criticism of his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta, who he slammed in his memoir for undermining the "credibility" of the White House press corps with his "speeches" that painted the press as "the resistance."
"The events that have played out since those early days of the Trump White House have in some ways vindicated Jim Acosta," Karl said. "I think that Jim was right to be outraged that the president was declaring the free press the 'enemy of the people.'
During an interview with Mediaite, Karl discussed the tense relationship between White House reporters and President Trump, something he suggested has had "negative consequences" with many Americans.
"I do believe that unfortunately, there is a big chunk of the country that believes that the press is now the resistance and I think it's really unfortunate and I think that it has negative consequences for a free press. I think it has negative consequences for our democracy," Karl told Mediaite on Thursday. "But I think that the aggressive questioning of the president, particularly now in the wake of what we've seen unfold with the pandemic is absolutely necessary. Not only justified but necessary.
He went on to walk back the harsh criticism of his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta, who he slammed in his memoir for undermining the "credibility" of the White House press corps with his "speeches" that painted the press as "the resistance."
"The events that have played out since those early days of the Trump White House have in some ways vindicated Jim Acosta," Karl said. "I think that Jim was right to be outraged that the president was declaring the free press the 'enemy of the people.'
VA Governor Northam, First Lady Test Positive For Coronavirus
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife, Pamela Northam, have tested positive for the coronavirus after a member of the governor's residence staff also tested positive. While the governor has reported experiencing no symptoms of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — Pamela Northam has reported experiencing mild symptoms.
Late Wednesday, the governor was notified that a residence staff member, who works closely within the couple's living quarters, had developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office said Friday morning.
Northam and his wife received PCR nasal swab tests on Wednesday and received positive results. Both will isolate for the next 10 days following guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health.
The couple is working with the department of health and the Richmond Health Department to trace their close contacts, according to the announcement. The Executive Mansion and Patrick Henry office building were closed for deep cleaning Thursday.
Late Wednesday, the governor was notified that a residence staff member, who works closely within the couple's living quarters, had developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, the governor's office said Friday morning.
Northam and his wife received PCR nasal swab tests on Wednesday and received positive results. Both will isolate for the next 10 days following guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health.
The couple is working with the department of health and the Richmond Health Department to trace their close contacts, according to the announcement. The Executive Mansion and Patrick Henry office building were closed for deep cleaning Thursday.
California GOP warns that Newsom's gas vehicle sales ban will cost jobs
California’s state Republican Party is warning that a new move by Gov. Gavin Newsom to ultimately ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035 could lead to more than 350,000 job losses.
Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order that will end the sale of all gas-powered vehicles, although it won’t stop people from owning such cars and trucks or re-selling them on the used car market. He also called on state legislators to also ban fracking, but has not yet moved to do so himself.
Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order that will end the sale of all gas-powered vehicles, although it won’t stop people from owning such cars and trucks or re-selling them on the used car market. He also called on state legislators to also ban fracking, but has not yet moved to do so himself.
It’s part of an increasingly aggressive push by some "blue states" and Democratic lawmakers in Congress to attempt to limit the effects of climate change, a push that Republicans have said will cost jobs and limit economic growth.
“Pull away from the gas pumps,” Newsom said. “Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.”
He claimed the order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and said that electric cars and trucks are “the next big global industry and California wants to dominate it.”
“Pull away from the gas pumps,” Newsom said. “Let us no longer be victims of geopolitical dictators that manipulate global supply chains and global markets.”
He claimed the order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and said that electric cars and trucks are “the next big global industry and California wants to dominate it.”
DOJ Orders a Pennsylvania County to change Ballot Practices after finding Military Ballots in the Trash
The Justice Department sent a letter to a Pennsylvania county on Thursday, ordering it to change its practices after multiple military ballots were found discarded.
The issue surfaced earlier in the day when the DOJ announced that it had recovered a small number of discarded ballots. While the Justice Department would not say where they had found the ballots, they did say there were nine recovered -- seven of which were cast for President Trump, while the other two were sealed by Luzerne County before the FBI recovered them,
In his letter to Luzerne County officials, U.S. attorney David Freed indicated that additional ballot materials were found in a dumpster. Freed said their investigation yielded "troubling" findings, including that the county allegedly improperly opened ballots.
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The issue surfaced earlier in the day when the DOJ announced that it had recovered a small number of discarded ballots. While the Justice Department would not say where they had found the ballots, they did say there were nine recovered -- seven of which were cast for President Trump, while the other two were sealed by Luzerne County before the FBI recovered them,
In his letter to Luzerne County officials, U.S. attorney David Freed indicated that additional ballot materials were found in a dumpster. Freed said their investigation yielded "troubling" findings, including that the county allegedly improperly opened ballots.
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Governor Hogan, State Superintendent of Schools Announce Return of Fall Sports
Following a visit to schools in Frederick County on Thursday, Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced the return of fall sports in Maryland. Each local school system will now have the ability to officially start the interscholastic athletic fall season in secondary schools beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2020.
“Getting our kids back on the playing field and allowing youth sports to resume this fall is critical for the social and mental well-being of our students,” said Governor Hogan. “Now that all 24 jurisdictions have submitted plans to resume in-person instruction, allowing fall sports to begin next month marks another important step on our road to recovery.”
All 24 school systems have now submitted plans to begin resuming in-person instruction this fall. To date, 11 local school systems—Allegany, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Worcester—have announced plans to bring students back onto school campuses for in-person athletic opportunities this fall.
October 7 Option For Fall Sports.
- All school systems shall, as soon as possible, provide conditioning and training opportunities utilizing the current available options provided by the MPSSAA.
- On October 7, 2020, all local school systems may choose to begin formal fall sport season practices in preparation for a competition season which will begin on October 27. All practices and preparation must be in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) required practice regulations, and all face covering and public health protocols established by the state and local health departments.
- The state is expanding the seasonal competition timeframes as previously announced for all winter and spring sports within this plan.
- The October 7 option provides for seven weeks of competition for fall sports—including cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, and volleyball:
- First available practice date: October 7, 2020
- First available competition date: October 27, 2020 (Golf may resume competition on October 7, 2020.)
- Last play date: December 12, 2020
- Culminating event/tournament: December 14-19, 2020
- With the October 7 option, winter sports can begin practice on December 14, and spring sports can begin practice on March 15. Additional details will be provided by MPSSAA.
- Local school systems that choose not to exercise the October 7 option for fall sports may utilize the Second Semester Plan option as previously announced.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
President Trump to hold rally on Friday in Newport News, VA
President Donald Trump will be holding a rally in the southeastern Virginia city of Newport News.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that Friday evening’s rally will be at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. It is expected to start at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 6.
The campaign stop will fall in between visits in to Florida and Pennsylvania. Newport News is not far from the border of North Carolina, which is considered a key battleground state.
The last time the president was in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region was in March when a Navy hospital ship set off for New York to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The campaign stop will fall in between visits in to Florida and Pennsylvania. Newport News is not far from the border of North Carolina, which is considered a key battleground state.
The last time the president was in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region was in March when a Navy hospital ship set off for New York to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Herschel Walker accuses Obama of doing 'absolutely nothing' to help racial issues as president
Former NFL star Herschel Walker panned former President Barack Obama Wednesday, arguing that the Democrat made grand statements about racism in America but failed to act on the issue while in office.
"Not to be mean ... I love the Obamas, but I'm going to be honest," Walker told Fox News Radio's "Fox Across America". "I hear all of the racial statements they're making today and I'm like, 'You were in office for eight years, what did you do to change anything?'
"You didn't do anything to change anything for anybody," Walker added, "so don't come out now talking about it because you had an opportunity [as] the most powerful man in the world, and you did absolutely nothing."
Walker, who spoke at this summer's Republican National Convention, also criticized Obama's vice president, current Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"Not to be mean ... I love the Obamas, but I'm going to be honest," Walker told Fox News Radio's "Fox Across America". "I hear all of the racial statements they're making today and I'm like, 'You were in office for eight years, what did you do to change anything?'
"You didn't do anything to change anything for anybody," Walker added, "so don't come out now talking about it because you had an opportunity [as] the most powerful man in the world, and you did absolutely nothing."
Walker, who spoke at this summer's Republican National Convention, also criticized Obama's vice president, current Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Early voting turnout hits record numbers in Virginia
Record numbers of Virginians are voting early and requesting absentee ballots this year, as the coronavirus pandemic and newly loosened election laws reshape Old Dominion voting habits in a presidential year.
Some 100,356 voters have cast ballots in person since early voting began
Friday, while 884,032 have requested absentee ballots, state elections officials reported on Wednesday. In all of 2016, just under 353,000 Virginians opted for early in-person voting and about 185,000 voted absentee by mail, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.
Voters in three solidly blue Northern Virginia congressional districts, where President Trump is deeply unpopular, have requested the most absentee ballots, led by 140,465 requests in the 8th District, which is represented by Rep. Don Beyer (D).
Friday, while 884,032 have requested absentee ballots, state elections officials reported on Wednesday. In all of 2016, just under 353,000 Virginians opted for early in-person voting and about 185,000 voted absentee by mail, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.
Voters in three solidly blue Northern Virginia congressional districts, where President Trump is deeply unpopular, have requested the most absentee ballots, led by 140,465 requests in the 8th District, which is represented by Rep. Don Beyer (D).
That’s nearly triple the 48,191 ballots requested in the bright red 9th District in the state’s rural southwest, which Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R) represents and Trump carried by 19 points four years ago.
“The great thing about Virginia is, you have no idea who’s requesting these ballots,” he said, noting that voters do not register by party in the state. “It could be every single Republican in those [Democratic] precincts requested those ballots.”
In any case, March said that Republicans are more inclined to wait to vote until Nov. 3. “Republicans are more likely to vote in person on Election Day,” he said. “That’s the sentiment I’ve gotten.”
“The great thing about Virginia is, you have no idea who’s requesting these ballots,” he said, noting that voters do not register by party in the state. “It could be every single Republican in those [Democratic] precincts requested those ballots.”
In any case, March said that Republicans are more inclined to wait to vote until Nov. 3. “Republicans are more likely to vote in person on Election Day,” he said. “That’s the sentiment I’ve gotten.”
Professor put on leave for saying she hopes presidential supporters get COVID-19 and die
A college professor in West Virginia has been placed on leave after telling her students that she hopes supporters of a “certain person” running for president get coronavirus “and die before the election.”
Video posted on social media identifies the teacher as Jennifer Mosher, a biology professor at Marshall University who made the inflammatory comments during an online class.
“I’ve become the type of person where I hope they all get it and die, I’m sorry,” she said, most likely referring to some supporters of President Trump, who don’t wear masks at campaign rallies. “I said to somebody yesterday, I hope they all die before the election. That’s the only saving hope I have.”
She doesn’t refer to Trump by name but says a “certain person is holding rallies.”
Mosher then notes, “I really should not be talking politics.”
It’s unclear when Mosher made the comments, but a statement from Marshall University on Friday said it became “aware of an overtly political statement made by a faculty member.”
“The university does not support or condone the use of any of its educational platforms to belittle people or wish harm on those who hold differing political views,” the statement said.
Video posted on social media identifies the teacher as Jennifer Mosher, a biology professor at Marshall University who made the inflammatory comments during an online class.
“I’ve become the type of person where I hope they all get it and die, I’m sorry,” she said, most likely referring to some supporters of President Trump, who don’t wear masks at campaign rallies. “I said to somebody yesterday, I hope they all die before the election. That’s the only saving hope I have.”
She doesn’t refer to Trump by name but says a “certain person is holding rallies.”
Mosher then notes, “I really should not be talking politics.”
It’s unclear when Mosher made the comments, but a statement from Marshall University on Friday said it became “aware of an overtly political statement made by a faculty member.”
“The university does not support or condone the use of any of its educational platforms to belittle people or wish harm on those who hold differing political views,” the statement said.
Hunter Biden received $3.5M wire transfer from Russian billionaire: Senate report
Hunter Biden received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Elena Baturina, the richest woman in Russia and the widow of Yury Luzhkov, the former mayor of Moscow, Senate Republicans revealed in their report on the younger Biden’s work in Ukraine.
Baturina is referenced in the 87-page report, which was released Wednesday, addressing her payment to Biden’s investment firm in early 2014.
“Baturina became Russia’s only female billionaire when her plastics company, Inteko, received a series of Moscow municipal contracts while her husband was mayor,” it said in providing background on the businesswoman.
The report described her involvement with Biden as “a financial relationship,” but declined to delve deeper into why the wire transfer was made.
The probe also found that Baturina sent 11 wires transfers between May and December 2015 to a bank account belonging to BAK USA, a tech startup that filed for bankruptcy in March 2019.
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“Baturina became Russia’s only female billionaire when her plastics company, Inteko, received a series of Moscow municipal contracts while her husband was mayor,” it said in providing background on the businesswoman.
The report described her involvement with Biden as “a financial relationship,” but declined to delve deeper into why the wire transfer was made.
The probe also found that Baturina sent 11 wires transfers between May and December 2015 to a bank account belonging to BAK USA, a tech startup that filed for bankruptcy in March 2019.
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Bernie Sanders Sounds Alarm on a Trump 'Nightmare Scenario'
Sen. Bernie Sanders is planning to mount an aggressive campaign to counter potential attempts by President Donald Trump to delegitimize the results of the November election, warning that Democrats and Republicans alike must do “everything that we can to prevent that from happening.”
In a phone interview on Monday evening, Sanders said he would spend the next six weeks urging the country to prepare for a “nightmare scenario” in which Trump declares himself the winner of the election and refuses to step down even if he loses.
As part of his effort, he is set to deliver a speech in Washington on Thursday — his first in-person appearance related to the election since before he dropped out of the presidential race — to outline in stark terms the danger that he says Trump poses to the nation’s democracy.
“We are living in an unprecedented and dangerous moment — extremely dangerous moment — in American history,” Sanders said. “And what this speech is going to be about is whether or not the United States of America will continue to be a democracy and a nation ruled by law and our Constitution.”
In a phone interview on Monday evening, Sanders said he would spend the next six weeks urging the country to prepare for a “nightmare scenario” in which Trump declares himself the winner of the election and refuses to step down even if he loses.
As part of his effort, he is set to deliver a speech in Washington on Thursday — his first in-person appearance related to the election since before he dropped out of the presidential race — to outline in stark terms the danger that he says Trump poses to the nation’s democracy.
“We are living in an unprecedented and dangerous moment — extremely dangerous moment — in American history,” Sanders said. “And what this speech is going to be about is whether or not the United States of America will continue to be a democracy and a nation ruled by law and our Constitution.”
A Maryland schools Ninth Grade English reading is under fire
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.
Local school districts allow teachers to bring kids to work to address day care issues
As a growing number of Maryland public school teachers prepare for in-person learning, on campus, some may have day care issues.
With that in mind, close to a dozen school districts may have found a way for teachers to bring their children to work.
Harford County teachers will walk into school buildings on Oct. 12, a little more than a week ahead of students, but what will that mean for teachers who are also parents?
“We have a structure in place that we could allow staff to have their children at the learning center,” said Harford County Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson. Many of the teachers were running out of options for childcare.
“There really is a short window for them to make this decision,” Harford County Education Association President Chrystie Crawford-Smick said.
“If teachers are being asked to return back to the classroom, they need to make sure that there is an opportunity for their children to be able to learn during the day,” Crawford-Smick said.
Besides Harford County, administrators in Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Kent and St. Mary's counties are also allowing teachers to bring their children to school. The arrangement was included in their school reopening plans submitted to the Maryland State Board of Education.
With that in mind, close to a dozen school districts may have found a way for teachers to bring their children to work.
Harford County teachers will walk into school buildings on Oct. 12, a little more than a week ahead of students, but what will that mean for teachers who are also parents?
“We have a structure in place that we could allow staff to have their children at the learning center,” said Harford County Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson. Many of the teachers were running out of options for childcare.
“There really is a short window for them to make this decision,” Harford County Education Association President Chrystie Crawford-Smick said.
“If teachers are being asked to return back to the classroom, they need to make sure that there is an opportunity for their children to be able to learn during the day,” Crawford-Smick said.
Besides Harford County, administrators in Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Kent and St. Mary's counties are also allowing teachers to bring their children to school. The arrangement was included in their school reopening plans submitted to the Maryland State Board of Education.
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