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3 Teachers Suspended for Celebrating O.J, RuPaul & Dennis Rodman at Black History Month Parade
Is RuPaul, seen here at his drag queen art show in 2009, bad for kids? | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist
Three caucasian teachers at a South L.A. elementary school have been placed on suspension after they allegedly had students hold signs of O.J. Simpson, RuPaul and Dennis Rodman in a Black History Month schoolyard parade alongside students carrying signs of people from an approved list like President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela and Harriet Tubman.
Once word got out, an angry Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sent out a statement. “I am shocked and outraged by the actions of these teachers at Wadsworth Elementary School,” he said. “I urge the Los Angeles United School District to take swift and appropriate action with respect to the teachers involved. We cannot stand for such myopic behavior by those whom we entrust to teach and inspire the next generation.”
Some are even calling for the teachers to be fired. An investigation into what exactly happened is ongoing.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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