MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Penn Harris Madison Board of School Trustees and PHM Superintendent Jerry Thacker refused to support Jewish students after multiple calls from parents to condemn recent anti semitic attacks and the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel that killed more than 1,200 innocent Jews. Thacker’s silence on the issue appears to be a clear violation of the district’s “anti-racism” resolution that was passed by the board in 2020 following the nationwide Black Lives Matter riots after a career violent criminal died while in police custody.
“These are your words.” One parent stated at PHM’s board meeting on Monday night. “You said you were going to openly condemn all acts of hate and violence… so, I’m very curious as to why nothing has been said about some of the anti semitism.”
PHM and Thacker have been quick to call out acts of hate when it does not involve Jewish people. In March of 2021, Thacker condemned alleged anti-Asian attacks happening in parts of the country.
According to minutes from the PHM Board meeting from March of 2021, Thacker stated the following:
“On July first, the Board passed a resolution to work to bring about systematic and structural change to ensure diversity, inclusion and equality in PHM schools. We were not only committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity, but the district would also strive to not just be against racism, but would become anti-racist… we will also openly condemn any and all forms of hate and violence against all races and cultures… Tonight we want to state publicly that we stand with and support our Asian American students, staff and families. In recent weeks the number of abhorrent violent attacks against Asian American communities has grown.”
ANTI-RACISM RESOLUTION
Since 2020, some members of the school board for the Penn Harris Madison School Corporation have worked especially hard to push the “anti-racism” agenda. In July of that year, the school board voted unanimously to hire a diversity officer. The move was prompted by activist alumni and students. At the time of the vote, Board President Chris Riley, stated “Today is an important first step in implementing the reforms necessary to eradicate racism and racial injustice within our school system.” Riley and the diversity officer, Derrick White, have also been silent on the issue of anti semitism.
ANTI-SEMITISM IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AND THE COUNTRY
PHM’s refusal to address anti-semitism comes on the heels of months of anti-Jewish demonstrations and attacks locally and across the country. In mid-October, a group of protesters in Downtown South Bend openly celebrated the October 7th, terrorist attack in Israel that killed 1,200 innocent Jews. Shortly after, a soldier with the Indiana Army National Guard organized another anti-Jew rally at IUSB.
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I do not live in the PHM district, otherwise I would be showing up at board meetings demanding the resignation of Riley and Thacker for violations of their own policy. The unprovoked attack by Hamas on Israel and the atrocities that happened on October 7 to innocent people, women and children demand condemnation from all corners of the free world. And, just to be clear, the condemnation by PHM of what happened to GF (I won’t say the name) by Officer Chauvin was woefully premature as all evidence now publicly available concludes GF did not die at the hands of Derek Chauvin but was instead self-inflicted. Derek was railroaded. I pray justice is served and Derek is released from prison.