Antisemitic post leads to removal of student

By Lisa Brody

A Seaholm High School student has been removed from school pending a district and law enforcement investigation following a group Snapchat post where she appeared to write, “Bro send the Jews back to the gas chambers I want hoco,” after a group of Seaholm parents made the administration aware that the school's Homecoming game had been scheduled for Rosh Hashana, one of the Jewish faith's holiest day, which falls this year on Wednesday evening, October 2, and concludes on Friday, October 4.

As of last Friday, September 20, after discovering the situation, Seaholm's administrators changed the school's Homecoming game date to Friday, October 18, with the dance remaining on Saturday, October 5.

According to Birmingham Public Schools' Manager of Marketing and Communications Cortez Strickland, individual school administrators set homecoming dates, not the district, and it was an oversight on the part of Seaholm's administrators. He noted Seaholm principal this year, Michael Wicker understands the scheduling error.

“At Seaholm High School, we celebrate our diversity and encourage a culture of respect, compassion and civility. We sincerely apologize for the recent Homecoming schedule changes which have understandably caused concern, frustration and inconvenience. Our decision to adjust the schedule is consistent with our core values and mission at Seaholm to honor and respect cherished religious holidays and observances. In this regard, we fell short with our initial scheduling choices, and I pledge to use this experience as a learning moment and do better in the future,” Wicker wrote to the Seaholm community.

As for the student Snapchat, it is emphasized by the district that the language is completely unacceptable, and both district administration leadership and local law enforcement are currently performing investigations. While those are occurring, the student has been removed from the school. According to Strickland, it is believed it is just the one student who made the antisemitic statement and not all of the students on the Snapchat, some of whom disagreed with the statement. One responded, “**** that's mean.”

“At Seaholm we do not tolerate intimidation, harassment or bullying and any reports of such behavior whether on school property, on social media or in text messages are investigated thoroughly in partnership with local law enforcement and consistent with our school policies and procedures,” Wicker said. “Unfortunately, we have been made aware of blame, anger, and even hateful speech directed at members of the Jewish community. This is not acceptable, and we have launched an investigation into this matter. We will also be reinforcing with our students and school community that certain actions and hateful speech can carry a range of serious disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion.”

District Superintendent Dr. Embekka Roberson reiterated Wicker's statements to the district on Wednesday, September 25, adding, “Recently we were made aware of a text message which included hateful speech directed at members of the Jewish community following changes to our Homecoming schedule at Seaholm High School. As we are investigating this matter with local law enforcement, this student has been removed from school. Under our code of conduct, students engaging in threats or hateful speech face serious consequences including expulsion… A few weeks ago, we started our first district-wide staff meeting with the theme of unity. We chose this theme because we know that unity is crucial in upholding our core values of community and inclusion.

“Our strategic plan explicitly states that we welcome and celebrate diversity by honoring the dignity of every human being. We strive for this daily, and it is important to acknowledge when we fall short as in the case of the Homecoming schedule. We can, we must, and we will do better.”