Newton Principal Criticized For Response To Rittenhouse Verdict

Newton MA

01 December, 2021

2:50 PM

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NEWTON, MA — Newton North Principal Henry Turner has been criticized for his response to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, with community members accusing him of adding the issue of race where it doesn't belong. Turner took to Twitter and his blog after the verdict was released, calling the decision to acquit the homicide and endangerment charges against Rittenhouse "devastating" and "racist" and advocating for psychologically and emotionally safe spaces in Newton schools. "I can't be surprised by the decision of the Rittenhouse case, but that lack of surprise doesn't diminish the pain and hurt," Turner wrote. "If Kyle Rittenhouse were black, the outcome would be significantly different," he continued. "Furthermore, self-defense is being used in the Ahmauf Arbery case as well. This is racism - a system that teaches people that black and brown bodies are less than others. It is no wonder then that these cases carry significant weight in our schools." The #RittenhouseVerdict is devastating. Staff and students of color will be angry, confused and hurting over the weekend and on Monday. My post on how to support your community after a crisis such as this. https://t.co/p2sLMzKWkW#msaachat #edchat #antiracism #FutureReady— Henry Turner (he/him/his) (@turnerhj) November 19, 2021 Turner's response to the Rittenhouse verdict was quickly denounced by parents and community members, who also took to social media to voice their opinion that Turner is inserting race into a case that only involved white people. "With all due respect I don't understand your reaction to this," wrote one user who described themself as a parent from a neighboring town. "These killings weren't racially motivated, all involved were white," they continued. "Tell me you purposely ignore case facts to indoctrinate teens and promote a political agenda, without saying you purposely ignore case facts to indoctrinate teens and promote a political agenda," wrote another user. Although some say the race debate doesn't belong in the Rittenhouse case, it isn't even close to being removed from the national conversation, with many people appalled that a young white male was so easily found not guilty regardless of his self-defense plea. The Black Lives Matter movement also spoke out in response to the verdict, recognizing that the shooting took place in the middle of racial justice protests in Kenosha, the same city where Jacob Blake, a black man, was partially paralyzed after being shot seven times by a white police officer last year. Here is BLM's Nov. 19 statement: We are not shocked. Today's not-guilty verdict is expected when white supremacy lives and breathes within our institutions. It is a reminder of how our legal systems are deeply rooted in white supremacy.It was a set up from the beginning. The police, the judge, the court, mainstream media, and every single system involved all wrapped their arms around Kyle Rittenhouse from the very beginning — from even before the murders he committed. What this verdict reminds us of is that this is a nation deeply rooted and still very committed to white supremacy, and we must continue to fight against it.What sparked this movement over 8 years ago in the acquittal of George Zimmerman is the same vigilante, state-sanctioned violence that we saw in Kenosha. Let this be a reminder that the system is working exactly the way it has been intended to.We have much work ahead of us. We cannot continue to accept a system that protects white supremacy.Patch has reached out to Turner for comment and will update this article when we hear back.