John Sousa, a White teacher at Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County, Florida, claims that he isn’t racist after telling Black students that Donald Trump would send them, “Back to Africa.” Even with such hateful words, he has been allowed to continue teaching students.
Sousa was only suspended for three days without pay following the incident. Shortly after the election, Sousa was speaking to a group of several Black female students.
At some point, the conversation became threatening. Sousa allegedly told the group of girls, “Don’t make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa.”
One of the girls in the group told her parents about the incident. Donnie Jones Jr., the girl’s father, wrote a Facebook post about the incident and went to the school to report the incident. School administrators called Sousa to the office and made him leave immediately once the incident came to light.
Unfortunately, Trump’s election victory provided a boost for the racists and bigots who have become more expressive since Nov. 8. Across the country, there have been reports of racial vandalism, racist threats, and attacks since the election.
Sousa told reporters at The Tampa Bay Times that he did not vote for Trump and he wasn’t racist. But if isn’t a racist, he should have had the wherewithal to not harass and intimidate Black students.
Intimidation and bullying should not be tolerated on any level by those who are paid to educate. Sousa has since returned to work after being transferred to another school.
