A Michigan school board trustee who claims on her LinkedIn to be a “Lover of Humanity” has come under scrutiny for hateful and unhinged tweets.
What’s the background?
Kesha Hamilton has been a Jackson School Board trustee since 2020. She serves as chair of the City of Jackson’s Racial Equity Commission.
Hamilton made the news last year for accusing Superintendent Jeff Beal of bullying and harassment. An investigation found that her allegations were unsubstantiated, reported Mlive.
The racial equity consultant has reportedly made numerous other wild allegations, castigating the school district on multiple occasions over allegedly racist policies.
In July 2022, Hamilton suggested that the school board’s decision to require that valedictorians take a “minimum of six advancement placement, dual enrollment or early college courses, in any combination” was racist and exclusionary.
Hamilton, who profits peddling advice about discrimination, racism, and proper conduct, has been exposed in turn for her apparent loathing for white people.
Lover of humanity, with notable exceptions
The self-professed racial equity consultant wrote to a black jogger on Dec. 3, “The last thing you have to worry about is an animal – though that could be a very real threat.. more dangerous are any white folks you may see on the trail.. be safe!”
On May 19, 2020, she wrote, “Working/living in/around/with white folks is incredibly difficult. Being subjected to them/their violence & treachery is severely abrasive.. but they sleep peacefully at night.. it’s just tough out here..”
Hamilton noted, “White people don’t care.. most of them. It’s tough working/living among them…”
In April 2020, Hamilton said, “Another reason why white supremacy exists… white women.”
The school board board trustee, involved in the education of future generations of children, also claimed, “Whiteness is so evil.”
Backlash
Hamilton’s racially charged antipathies came to light, in part, due to a flyer that circulated in the community noting that “Jackson School Board hates White people.”
The resultant backlash prompted the school board to move its Tuesday meeting, reported MLive.
To protect against possible public hostility elicited by Hamilton’s apparent racism, the board also had extra security on hand.
While the meeting was moved to what Superintendent Jeff Beal characterized as a more secure location, some community members were nevertheless able to express their concern about the school board trustee’s apparent loathing for people on the basis of skin color.
One community member pleaded with the school board that Hamilton and others stop peddling critical race theory and indoctrinating children with “divisive” ideologies.
MLive noted that one individual who called Hamilton’s racist rants “disheartening” asked whether the trustee had been elected to represent “the entire student body within our racially diverse student population?”
Hamilton responded, “What’s disheartening? Calling out whiteness? Or whiteness being evil?”
Rather than apologize, Hamilton suggested her apparent hatred of “whiteness” was predicated upon an understanding of the notion afforded her by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The museum notes on its website, “Whiteness and white racialized identity refer to the way that white people, their customs, culture, and beliefs operate as the standard by which all other groups of are compared. … Whiteness (and its accepted normality) also exist as everyday microaggressions toward people of color.”
Another community member called for Hamilton’s resignation, noting the trustee’s strained definition of “whiteness” “does not excuse [her] angry and hateful words.”
“This is someone that we have making decisions about what is best for the students of Jackson public schools in a district that is more than 44% white, a city that is over 69% white, and a county that is over 87% white. And one of her criticisms is decreasing enrollment. I wonder why,” added the community member. “[Hamilton] accused others of attempting to divide this community. This is exactly what she wants. This is why she is here. It is not for the district, the students, or the community. It is for her fame and notoriety.”
Gina Hastings, a parent in the community, said, “Someone in her influential position must be held to a high standard. She must be a representative for all students in the Jackson public school system.”
“Her racist comments should not be condoned. How can all kids feel safe when physical characteristics over which they have no control are being call evil and dangerous?” added Hastings.
Jackie Leslie said, “You are not addressing the disparities, you are adding to them by your hurtful remarks. Your words are not unifying our community. Your words are dividing our community.”
In a May 2022 Jackson racial equity commission promotional video, Hamilton suggested she might have a hand in “interrupting and reversing racism, the impacts of racism, and racial prejudice wherever it is found.”
It is unclear whether the commission has taken a look at the Twitter feed of its chair.
How the Racial Equity Commission is making a difference in Jackson, Michiganyoutu.be
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