As pernicious and as common as it is, racism can also be subtle and disguised. Florida teacher Caroline Melanie Lee is charged with third degree felony child abuse for allegedly retaliating against a student who questioned the validity of her winning “Teacher of the Year” after the teacher’s alleged history of racism and other microaggressions. None of these accusations surprise me at all. I knew bigoted teachers when I was in school, but then again, there were a whole lot more bigots than just them.
That was par for the course as they say, where I grew up. And while I respect that the accusation remains unproven in a court of law, this story reminds me of the time the KKK marched down my street with a burning cross, right near my school. 7 Year-olds remember such things.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Duval County Public Schools shared Lee’s photo, but instead of congratulatory remarks, some people in the comments section reportedly questioned whether the 60-year-old Lee was the same teacher who used the N-word and engaged in other micro-aggressions against students. Lee denied using the slur in a offensive manner, claiming that she was only saying it when reading the John Steinbeck controversial novel “Of Mice and Men” in class. In addition, officers also stated that Lee acknowledged that it was her word against the girl’s but still maintained she did not cause physical harm to the child, according to the outlet.
So insofar as the use of the “N” word, Lee is going with the contextual defense. As far as the alleged violence, she is denying everything. I suppose I would too, if a child walked into my classroom whole, and out of it dripping blood from her nose.
We continue..
After Lee claimed she thought the message on Instagram was a threat to kill her, yet did not report it for lack of fear, she decided the best course of action would be to confront the student.
On Friday, Oct. 29, police say Lee went to the first-period class of the student and asked that teacher if she could speak to the student privately. The teacher later told the student — who does not have any classes with Lee — of this request, but the girl did not comply with it. The police report says Lee later returned to the same class and got the girl to leave with her. School surveillance video showed Lee “walking at an aggressive pace” to her classroom with the student following prior to the incident. A boy at the door to Lee’s class was told to leave, and Lee and the girl went inside and closed the doors.
At some point the conversation allegedly turned violent and the teacher is accused of repeatedly striking the student in the face, causing bleeding from her nose. The report states that the student then exited and went straight to a guidance counselor.
Principal Tyrus Lyles had this to say:
“It is very disappointing, but I am compelled to share with you that one of our teachers was arrested today on campus for child abuse.” He added. “Even more disappointing, the teacher arrested is our recent teacher of the year nominee.”
To me that comes off as honest, frustrated, and a bit flummoxed. What I read in that is “We thought she was ok, really. We awarded her and everything.”
Lee was taken into custody and charged, and then released on her own recognizance, because if there is anyone society can trust to deal with the judicial system honorably, it is someone accused of punching a child in the face. (Sarcasm.)
She will probably never do time, if she even sees a trial, as there is a certain bit of positive reputation she has built up. The student will probably be ok physically, but if Lee is proven to have indeed committed this crime, it would add to a bundle of nationwide incidents demonstrating that the bigoted aggressors do not have a whole lot of concern about the consequences of their actions or their rhetoric.
Some of them even run for Governor. After what happened in Virginia,
maybe she will primary DeSantis.
-ROC
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-ROC