Jackson, Mich. — Jackson Public Schools (JPS) board member Kesha Hamilton is faced with a combination of scrutiny and support after tweeting about “whiteness.” The reaction was so much that JPS superintendent Jeff Beal notified the press prior to the most recent school board meeting on Tuesday, January 17, calling for decorum and civility amid an expectedly large public turnout.
“I would like to remind the community that the safety and security of all our staff, students, board members, and community members is of our utmost concern,” Beal stated.
Comments were made both in defense of and against the school board member. Myeshia Jones spoke in support of Hamilton: “We’re not talking about a person’s whiteness, OK? Whiteness is the system, the ideology, the belief, the thought that because your skin is white, you are superior to white people.”
Some attendees, like Gina Hastings, called for Hamilton’s resignation, stating that her “racist comments should not be condoned.”
“I do not apologize for exercising any of my rights,” said Hamilton, stating that the only way to eliminate racial disparities is to face them.
Hamilton’s tweet can be found below.
Whiteness is so evil.. it manipulates then says, I won’t apologize for my dishonesty and trauma inducing practices and thinks you should applaud it for being honest about its ability to manipulate and be dishonest.. #Deceitful #Perfidious
— Kesha Hamilton (@kchamp06) December 18, 2022
