As a member of the Fowlerville community for 54 years, an educator, and a mom of six, I am deeply concerned with the recent policy passed by the Fowlerville school board regarding flags and displays. Many of the comments I heard at the school board meeting — and further comments stating it was “outside agitators” that are showing up to stand against this proposal — are absolutely false. I know this because I live here, my kids go to school here, and I work in the schools. There are many of us in this community that understand our kid’s identity is not political. Someone’s existence is never political. Never.
Micromanaging teachers and micromanaging what and how students communicate their clubs and groups is a huge problem that came from no problem at all. We have asked the school board for answers and have received none. What were the problems that led to this extreme policy change? How many people complained? What exactly did they complain about? No answers.
The things I heard being spoken about our children I can never un-hear. And what is even more sad? So many students were present at that board meeting and continue to see the hate poured out online. The courage it took for these students and teachers to speak in front of 200 people is nothing short of heroic. I see these kids in the classroom, the hallways, at Walmart, and at the youth center. They are beautiful and they matter. A pride flag, a safe sticker, student group posters …. they are acceptance, connection, dignity, and empathy for one another. How dare any of you make this a political, religious hate stance towards our students and teachers.
Tonya Defever
