Emanuele Berry

In a school district outside Dallas, Texas, Dr. James Whitfield had just been promoted to high school principal, the school's first black principal. And he was watching everyone send out these emails. Not just corporate brands, but also his peers, other educators, and administrators.

In a school district outside Dallas, Texas, Dr. James Whitfield had just been promoted to high school principal, the school's first black principal. And he was watching everyone send out these emails. Not just corporate brands, but also his peers, other educators, and administrators.

His email started by talking about the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and how these events have brought forth the familiar enemy of racism in America. Quote, Now it appears as though we are collectively using our voice to denounce systemic racism and the inequities that people of color face on a daily basis in our country.

His email started by talking about the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and how these events have brought forth the familiar enemy of racism in America. Quote, Now it appears as though we are collectively using our voice to denounce systemic racism and the inequities that people of color face on a daily basis in our country.

He goes on to write from a personal perspective of a Black man who grew up in Texas. He writes, He continued, I'm here with you to do whatever we need to do to disrupt systemic racism and eradicate it. Whitfield ends his email the way he ends many of his emails and messages, by telling people he loves them dearly, which is kind of who he is.

He goes on to write from a personal perspective of a Black man who grew up in Texas. He writes, He continued, I'm here with you to do whatever we need to do to disrupt systemic racism and eradicate it. Whitfield ends his email the way he ends many of his emails and messages, by telling people he loves them dearly, which is kind of who he is.

Approachable, warm, a beloved figure, a cardigan-wearing dad. People appreciated the email. Parents, teachers, and students wrote to say thank you. Some said they were ready to learn more. One parent mentioned how refreshing it was to see a school leader send out this kind of letter. A year passed, Whitfield's first year as principal. And it's a tough one because, you know, the pandemic.

Approachable, warm, a beloved figure, a cardigan-wearing dad. People appreciated the email. Parents, teachers, and students wrote to say thank you. Some said they were ready to learn more. One parent mentioned how refreshing it was to see a school leader send out this kind of letter. A year passed, Whitfield's first year as principal. And it's a tough one because, you know, the pandemic.

But he made it through. And then he arrived at the summer of 2021. It is a very different landscape from the summer of 2020. In fact, the script has flipped. Public conversations have moved from let's all try and understand and talk about systemic racism to let's never mention systemic racism. This is especially true in Texas, where Dr. Whitfield is.

But he made it through. And then he arrived at the summer of 2021. It is a very different landscape from the summer of 2020. In fact, the script has flipped. Public conversations have moved from let's all try and understand and talk about systemic racism to let's never mention systemic racism. This is especially true in Texas, where Dr. Whitfield is.

In Texas, the conversation is suddenly all about banning critical race theory. Critical race theory, CRT, you've probably heard about it. It's a way to chart how racism is ingrained in the American legal system and other institutions. But at this moment, CRT has become kind of a boogeyman, a quick shorthand to shut down anything acknowledging racism or even blackness.

In Texas, the conversation is suddenly all about banning critical race theory. Critical race theory, CRT, you've probably heard about it. It's a way to chart how racism is ingrained in the American legal system and other institutions. But at this moment, CRT has become kind of a boogeyman, a quick shorthand to shut down anything acknowledging racism or even blackness.

Texas passed a law in 2021 banning CRT in schools. And during the school year, Dr. Whitfield heard that some people were grumbling about him on social media, saying he was a race warrior. The online grumblings became public at a school board meeting in July, when a resident points to Whitfield's email. His email where he basically says, it seems like we're ready to talk about race as a country.

Texas passed a law in 2021 banning CRT in schools. And during the school year, Dr. Whitfield heard that some people were grumbling about him on social media, saying he was a race warrior. The online grumblings became public at a school board meeting in July, when a resident points to Whitfield's email. His email where he basically says, it seems like we're ready to talk about race as a country.

He points to that email as proof that he is indoctrinating students with critical race theory.

He points to that email as proof that he is indoctrinating students with critical race theory.

To be clear, Dr. Whitfield is not teaching CRT. He didn't propose educational reforms in his email. He wasn't reshaping the curriculum. He did support an existing program at the school that tried to get kids into college who wouldn't traditionally go. He got flack for that. But the program predated him.

To be clear, Dr. Whitfield is not teaching CRT. He didn't propose educational reforms in his email. He wasn't reshaping the curriculum. He did support an existing program at the school that tried to get kids into college who wouldn't traditionally go. He got flack for that. But the program predated him.

People complained about an approving mention of the Southern Poverty Law Center, but also that he quoted Gil Scott-Heron in an email saying the revolution will not be televised. And, of course, that email from 2020, where, like everyone else in 2020, he denounces systemic racism.

People complained about an approving mention of the Southern Poverty Law Center, but also that he quoted Gil Scott-Heron in an email saying the revolution will not be televised. And, of course, that email from 2020, where, like everyone else in 2020, he denounces systemic racism.