Douglas Anderson school cancels race-separated student diversity meetings after outcry
Douglas Anderson administrators canceled the segregated meetings after complaints from students and parents. DCPS officials said they were equally concerned. Author: Florida Times-Union, Emily Bloch Published: 9:48 AM EST March 4, 2021 Updated: 9:48 AM EST March 4, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A school meeting that was supposed to focus on diversity and inclusion was billed as segregated, separating students of color from their white peers. It drew so much criticism in a matter of hours that administrators were forced to cancel.
It all started Tuesday evening when Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Principal Melanie Hammer sent an email to the school s families with the subject line: Student Cultural Meetings.
A school meeting that was supposed to focus on diversity and inclusion was billed as segregated, separating students of color from their white peers. It drew so much criticism in a matter of hours that administrators were forced to cancel.
It all started Tuesday evening when Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Principal Melanie Hammer sent an email to the school s families with the subject line: Student Cultural Meetings.
The email, which was sent to the Times-Union by multiple frustrated families, said the school would be hosting two meetings to discuss cultural issues that have arisen on campus and to ensure that DA truly is a place for all.