Black parents of students at Durham School of the Arts aren’t surprised members of the Durham Board of Education decided not to renew David Hawks contract as the principal of the school. Many are asking why it took so long.
While many white parents posted comments on social
media followed by a news report headlined “Mysterious firing of top Durham high
school principal angers students, parents,” Black parents are wondering why it’s
a mystery.
In January 2019, Rev. Dr. Fatimah Salleh posted comments on Facebook that gained thousands of reactions. The story she told of her son’s suspension sparked responses from other parents of Black and Brown students involving Hawks leadership at Durham School of the Arts.
Micah Sorenson, Salleh’s son, shared his story of In
School Suspension when parents and students showed up to protest during a
school board meeting. He also talked about a friend who dropped out of school
after he was given a week of ISS. Sorenson said he was the smartest person he
knew.
“As great as we are as a school, we are not perfect. And we strive to
become better each day,” Hawks said during that meeting. “One area we
acknowledge in which we must do better is fully developing our restorative
justice center, which is a new concept this year.”
Black and Brown parents say they never saw things
change. Salleh transferred her son to another school within the district.
“According to both qualitative and quantitative data,
this school has been openly racist under his leadership for years,” Salleh
said.” “Years! It wasn’t a secret; it was just allowed because Black and Brown
and EC children’s education and well-being were and are expendable.”
Salleh says she believes Hawks is committed to what he
believes without creating space for pondering the failures of his assumptions.
“Mr. Hawks succeeded at being racist, which ain’t
saying much because the system is set up for that type of success,” Salleh
said. “And for all that supremacy to succeed, there are too many casualties –
for one is too many. We, as a district, let this happen on our watch, and that’s
something that we, as a community, need to ultimately interrogate and correct.”
Maya Jackson was born and attended public school
during the merger of Durham City and Durham County Schools. When considering
options for her children, Durham School of the Arts was on her list.
“This principal (Hawks) is the reason why we declined
to attend Durham School of the Arts,” Jackson said. “He declined to address
families with Black children inquiring about the treatment of Black youth and
sent his vice principal to talk to us.”
Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock is co-founder and lead
curator of “we are” (working to extend anti-racist education). She says she fully
supports the board’s decision-making that aligns with upholding equity and prioritizes
the safety of our children.
“I
was glad to hear that David Hawks’ contract as principal at Durham School of
the Arts was not renewed,” Taylor Bullock said. “I have personally heard
several first-hand accounts from parents, students, and educators about the
toxic culture that his leadership upheld. Black and Brown students and students
with disabilities have been pushed out of that school over the years.”
Taylor
Bullock says white supremacy and the fear white parents’ backlash has allowed
Hawks to stay in his position of power for so long.
“To them (white supporters), he has been wonderful. However, those
same families have either turned a blind eye to the stories of harm that Black
and Brown families have been sharing or they just do not know what has been
happening,” Taylor Bullock said. “Both of these scenarios are problematic and
rooted in whiteness. Some may care to gain a better understanding of why the
School Board decided to not renew his contract and some may not. At the end of
the day, the Board members chose to prioritize what they believe will be best
for DSA, and I hope they stick by that decision.”
Taylor Bullock says she has been paying attention to the discipline data the school district shares. That data reveals Durham School of the Arts disproportionately sends Black and Brown students to In School Suspension or Restorative Justice Center and they have more referrals than any other school in the district.
“It’s a new day in Durham Public Schools,”
Taylor Bullock said. “This was a historic decision.”
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I wish it happened much sooner. You know my wife and I were complaining about him over 8 years ago and had multiple meetings with assistant superintendents and superintendent to no avail. Very glad they finally listened.
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