Over the past few decades, America has seen a massive decline in math aptitude. One teacher in Birmingham, Ala., is trying to change that. Corner High School geometry teacher Gregory Harrison used the example of the assassination of President Obama to explain the concept of angles to students in his class.
Based on a tip, someone alerted the authorities to the math lesson, which resulted in Harrision being questioned by the Secret Service in Birmingham. Roy Sexton, special agent in charge of Birmingham’s Secret Service office said they “did not see or find it [to be] a serious threat and we looked into it, we talked to the gentleman and we have closed our investigation.”
Harrison was not taken into custody or charged with any crime. However, the Jefferson County teacher was put on paid administrative leave and may even be fired for his poor judgment based on comments from school Superintendent Phil Hammonds.
First reported in the Birmingham news, the story has received national attention. “As a district, we are embarrassed by his actions and what he said … nothing that can be said to rationalize what was said,” Hammonds stated.
Some students and parents support the teacher and do not think he deserves to be terminated.
This is just another example of the increase in venom and disrespect toward not only the office of the president of the United States, but Barack Obama and people of color across the country. Regardless of anti-immigration laws directed toward Hispanics and ministers praying openly for the assassination of President Obama, these are dangerous times in America and reflective of why an African American man as president does not make American post racial, but rather supraracist. –torrance stephens, ph.d.
For more with Dr. Stephens, visit twitter.com/rawdawgbuffalo and rawdawgb.blogspot.com.
