Lee’s Summit school board member must apologize for ‘Redneck Lives Matter’ display | Opinion
I won’t pretend to know the heart or mind of Lee’s Summit school board member Bill Haley. But his social media post proclaiming “Redneck Lives Matter” was done in poor taste. He should apologize.
And if Haley isn’t willing to make amends publicly for the distasteful post — email and phone messages left for him were not returned — the Lee’s Summit school board must do so.
As of Thursday, we hadn’t heard a peep from Haley, board president Jennifer Foley or vice president Heather Eslick. Neither Foley or Eslick bothered to return email messages seeking comment.
Accountability shouldn’t be all that difficult.
In April, Lee’s Summit voters elected Haley to the school board. This week, he posted to his campaign Facebook page photos from a recent district fundraiser that included images of a display on a table with signs reading “Redneck Renegades” and “Redneck Lives Matter.” Amid an arrangement of spent shell shotgun shell casings and small American flags, another novelty sign read: “WARNING: You are entering a REDNECK AREA. You may encounter American Flags, Armed Citizens, The Lords Prayer, & Country Music. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.”
The American flag and the Lord’s Prayer require a warning label now?
Who does that?
The Aug. 9 event was a trivia night fundraiser for the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises private funds to support programs in the district. Haley had a table there where he displayed the sign and shell casings.
Haley is a first-time public official and as the owner of a gun ammunition company. Maybe he doesn’t quite understand that he represents all students and staff in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District at all times. I am a supporter of the Black Lives Matter anti-police brutality movement. I believe Haley’s post was insensitive and an affront to the district’s Black staff members, students and their families.
Yes, Haley has a First Amendment right to express himself. However, for the sake of common decency and decorum, he should at least take down the social media post — as of this writing, he hadn’t.
At some point this week, Haley edited the post to distance himself from the Lee’s Summit school board. Yet screenshots of his screed include his initial reference to representing the school board that night.
On Thursday, a change.org petition was created demanding that Haley resign immediately.
“Bill Haley’s actions have clearly shown that he is unfit to continue serving on the Lee’s Summit School Board,” the petition reads. “We demand his immediate resignation to restore trust and ensure that our school board is led by individuals who are committed to promoting an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment for all.
“We urge the Lee’s Summit School Board to take this matter seriously and to hold its members accountable to the highest ethical standards.”
Consistent advocate of disciplining students
Rodrick King Sparks is a former school board president at Lee’s Summit schools. He’s Black and is concerned about the wrong message Haley’s post could send to minority families.
While the display may have not violated district policy, according to Sparks, it’s fair to question Haley’s lack of professionalism.
In a statement, Sparks wrote: “I am deeply disappointed by the decision of Mr. Bill Haley, LSR7 school board member, to display a ‘Rednecks Lives Matter’ flag with spent shell casings at an event hosted by the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation, whose leadership is funded by taxpayers of all races, cultures, and backgrounds. The connotation of that flag is offensive and seeks to mock the protest movement against police brutality and civil rights abuses.
“This action shows a blatant disregard for the values of professionalism and inclusivity that we strive to uphold in our community. It is disheartening to see such a lack of awareness and sensitivity, especially from someone in a leadership position.”
Sparks’ statement continued: “Furthermore, it’s important to note that Mr. Haley has consistently emphasized the need for discipline when students behave inappropriately. Given this stance, it raises a critical question: What consequences does Mr. Haley believe should be imposed on an elected official — someone who is supposed to represent the interests of over 18,000 students and staff — when they fail to uphold the standards of conduct expected in their role? It is crucial that we maintain accountability at all levels to ensure our community’s trust and uphold the principles of belonging and respect. We must do better.”
I agree with Sparks. We all have an obligation to treat others with respect and dignity. In these times of divisive political discourse, we must rise above the hateful rhetoric coming to us from all corners of cyberspace.
Davoya Marshall, the parent of four children who attend Lee’s Summit schools, took issue with the “Redneck Lives Matter” sign and the shell casings, too.
“Just seeing the image made me feel some kind of way,” Marshall said. “You are a leader in our district that makes decisions for our children. That doesn’t sit right with me. And this is what you choose to represent? Are our students supposed to trust you are making the best decisions for them?
“Why not apologize?”
That is what I would like to know. Great leaders admit their mistakes. None of us is perfect. It’s OK to say sorry and move forward.
For Haley or the school board not to address this shows a lack of judgment unbecoming of elected officials.
