The following emails were sent to my former school district in light of the threats of school bombings resulting from Walters actions. It’ unconscionable and unfortunately predictable from him. I’ve deleted names and places:
teachers, you may be aware that four days in a row last week, Tulsa Union Public Schools received bomb threats targeting one, or more, elementary site. It is believed the bomb threats were made in response to the sharing of a doctored social media post of a Tulsa Union elementary librarian. The librarian made a tongue-in-cheek Tik Tok video talking about being a “woke indoctrinator.” The caption of her post stated the woke indoctrination she was doing was teaching students to love reading. A far-right group took her video, removed the caption, and posted it on X (formerly Twitter). The doctored version was then shared by a state official. I want to remind everyone to be cautious of what you post on social media. You have the right to use social media, but be aware that there are bad actors that will take what you post out of context and could alter it. Below is an email that was sent to OEA members from OEA Legal Counsel. This is advice that applies to all teachers. Mr. ******* has allowed me to share it with you. If you have any questions, please let me know.
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Legal Counsel for the Oklahoma Education Association have issued the following alert and advisory to all OEA Members:
Language incites violence and falsely accusing teachers leads to dangerous and violent consequences. Schools in the Tulsa area have now experienced those consequences following another attack on an Oklahoma teacher by someone elected to protect students. A teacher posted a tongue-in-cheek video where she said, “My radical liberal agenda is teaching kids to love books and be kind.” Her statement was clearly first amendment protected political speech designed to make it clear that teaching kids to read is important and that she is not doing anything controversial by being a public school librarian.
Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction together with an online social media group posted an altered version of the teacher’s video with made-up captions that make it appear the teacher was advocating controversial issues. The teacher’s caption that clearly demonstrated the intent of the video was removed in the altered video. No controversial issues of any type were discussed, furthered, or stated in the original video. The only issue discussed was the fact that she loves teaching children to read. The posting of the altered video by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction incited anger in those who support the political agenda of the State Superintendent and directly resulted in bomb threats at the teacher’s school and her home, as well as numerous direct threats of violence to the teacher. No public school, no public school employee, no public school student, and no parent of a public school student should ever have to experience the angst of a bomb threat to their school site, their person, or their home.
For years, we have advocated avoiding social media postings because of the scrutiny brought by those who may disagree with the views expressed. Our advice now is frankly more important than ever. Posting any videos online as an educator leaves you open to the video being altered by political figures or radical groups to misrepresent your views and use the falsified post to further a political agenda. When that results in threats of violence to Oklahoma’s schools, teachers, students and their parents, it is reprehensible and unacceptable. Our elected officials should choose not to take steps that incite bomb threats or violence. Until that occurs, we urge you to be extremely cautious about making social media postings.
