A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign during a demonstration on Main Street in Lansdale on June 20.
North Penn School District Special Education Supervisor Ashley Bennett has been placed on administrative leave, following a public post on Facebook denouncing the Black Lives Matter movement.
The now-deleted post, which was shared by Bennett on Wednesday night, said in part:
“I see signs all over saying #BlackLivesMatter. I’m just trying to figure out WHICH black lives matter. It can’t be the unborn black babies – they are destroyed without a second thought. It’s not black cops – they don’t seem to matter at all. It’s not my black #Conservative friends. They are told to shut the **** up if they know what’s best for them by their black counterparts. It’s not black business owners. Their property, their business and their employees don’t mean anything. So which black lives matter again?”
The post continues its focus on the Black Lives Matter movement, before taking aim at the coronavirus response, mainstream media coverage, Democrats and others. The post then wraps up with a prayer that God will heal the country.
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Screenshots of
Bennett’s now deleted post, which originally appeared as a public post on
Facebook during the evening of June 24. (Credit: Submitted) |
By Thursday morning, Bennett’s post had made its way through several local Facebook groups, including Black Residents of Lansdale Area United, where the statements were near-universally decried as insensitive and unacceptable. It also drew the attention of North Penn School District officials, who condemned the post as being out of alignment with the district’s views and values.
In response to a request for comment from North Penn Now, district officials provided the following statement:
“The comments that were brought to our attention do not align with the North Penn School District’s core values. The views expressed are in direct conflict with our work to develop a community that values diversity. We strive to acknowledge, respect, understand, and celebrate the dynamics of racial and cultural differences. Through the development of a culturally proficient staff, the establishment of structures that promote equitable opportunities, and partnerships with families and students, our school district seeks to create an environment of respect where all members of the school community are empowered to learn, grow, and appreciate one another.”
Officials said that Bennett has since been placed on administrative leave while they conduct an investigation into her actions. When asked for the district’s official stance on racial inequality and the Black Lives Matter movement, officials referenced a prior joint statement made by the North Penn Board of School Directors in late May.
“A school district should be a reflection of its community, and the overwhelming support at numerous events for Black Lives Matter across the diverse and vibrant North Penn community aligns with our district’s goals to make genuine, sustainable change. The school district stands 100% behind the values and character demonstrated during this past weekend’s community-wide, peaceful and unifying Solidarity March organized by North Penn students and graduates.”
Efforts by North Penn Now to reach Bennett for comment have been unsuccessful at this time. However, Bennett did post a public apology to Facebook on Thursday night, stating that she used poor judgement and taking responsibility for her actions.
The post reads, in full:
“All: I shared a post a few days back that was inappropriate. I didn’t realize at the time how it was going to be interpreted. I should have. It was something on my page and I should have been more aware. Up until recently, [Facebook] has always just been a way to keep up with my friends, their kids and dogs. I allowed all of the negativity to get to me and used poor judgement. Anything that I posted that was interpreted as racist was not my intent. A very wise person made me see that I was wrong. Anyone who was offended…I apologize. I plan to learn and grow from this experience so that my apology is not just words. I take responsibility for my poor actions and hope those of you who know me can eventually forgive me. I will be going off [Facebook] for awhile (sic), so I can focus on the positives. [Thanks] for listening.”
Should Bennett respond to our request for comment, we will add any additional statement to this article.
See also:
Demonstrators Pack Downtown Lansdale For Rally Against Racial Injustice
Montgomery County Declares 'Juneteenth' An Official Holiday
Lansdale Police Chief: ‘It’s Time To End Idle Talk And Move Towards Solutions’
Demonstrations Against Racial Injustice Held In Lansdale, North Wales And Abington-Lansdale Hospital
Local Law Enforcement, School Board Issue Statements On Death Of George Floyd
