In an effort to make everyone feel like they belong at GHAPS, one administrator has developed an all-consuming focus on race. To be honest, I’m struggling to even find words to write this article. What follows is a surprising collection of emails that each point out skin color as a reason that gives a person credibility, or determines how they should behave or be treated.
Perhaps in an effort to fight feelings of personal inadequacy, Mary Jane has made an intentional effort to focus on race, and to show the world she is not a racist person. Unfortunately, because she holds a powerful position at GHAPS, her personal journey doesn’t only affect her. It is affecting the entire community and especially our children.
In this first email Mary Jane Evink suggests people with light skin should become antiracists. It is “one of the best things educators with light skin can do.”
In the second email, Mary Jane Evink informs some staff members she has hired a DEI consultant to lead their book study on Courageous Conversations. She makes sure to point out that the consultant is a Person of Color, because this somehow gives her more credibility. I guess her skin color makes her a credentialed expert in the field of DEI and book studies?
The last email is the most shocking in my opinion, because this email instructs teachers to treat parents differently based on the color of their skin.
What is the purpose of this hyper-focus on race? Honestly, I feel sad just writing these words. Is this really how GHAPS leadership sees Grand Haven in the year 2022? Do they think that we need a certain distribution of skin pigmentation in our population to make things ideal? What is the ultimate goal? I’ve always thought that we are all Americans and our country is the melting pot of the world. Why isn’t the focus on honesty, kindness, integrity, independence and hard work? Why not highlight the great opportunities open to everyone? Where are we going with this? It just doesn’t make sense.