Richards Teacher's BLM Flag Tweet Sparks Racial Controversy

OAK LAWN, IL — A popular Richards High School teacher who hung a Black Lives Matter flag in her classroom and then tweeted a picture stating, “my background for the Zoom sessions,” received a torrent of vitriolic comments on community social media. When the first day of remote learning started Monday in CHSD 218 high schools, the BLM flag was gone and the background in Rahaf Othman’s Zoom history and government classes was a neutral cream color.

When Othman tweeted her picture of the BLM flag from her school Twitter account, it quickly made the rounds of community social media. Many of the comments left on one neighborhood Facebook group in particular — known for its support of President Trump and the police — were directed at the veteran teacher’s Arab American and Muslim background. A few of the commenters stated they were parents of Richards students, who claimed their children were being brainwashed and indoctrinated by the left, and docked points by teachers if they expressed their "conservative" views during school:

“I don’t want blm crap or this lgbt crap being [taught] to my child …”

“[W]e all better come together to stop this divide that islam and the demonRats our creating to turn America into a [explective] just like the country they come from …”

“Good, I hope she just sits there while the students loot, vandalize, and torch her class room.”

CHSD 218 high schools, including Richards (Oak Lawn), Shepard (Palos Heights), and Eisenhower (Blue Island), boast some of the most ethnically diverse student bodies in Chicago's south suburbs. Many parents, current students and alumni quickly came to Othman’s defense, describing her as one of Richards’ “most supportive teachers.” A petition started by a recent Richards graduate soon surfaced on Change.org, demanding that the district abandon its “neutrality” on BLM by allowing Othman to rehang her flag. The petition has since garnered over 2,700 signatures and counting.

“District 218 has a large number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, and it is very important that these students feel supported and included at school. A good way to do this would be to show our support for Black Lives Matter and show that D218 will fight for its students - no matter what. It is very alarming that we have such a high number of community members not in support of the BLM Movement since many Black students attend Richards. School should offer a safe space for students, and we cannot do this without showing our unconditional support, no matter who or what race you are.”

In the days following the death of George Floyd — a Black man who was killed while in the custody of Minnesota police — a letter signed by Dr. Ty Harting, the superintendent of schools, and each of D218's school principals, went out to students and parents explaining the district’s “equality statement.” The administrators further expressed support for Black Lives Matter, acknowledging the existence of systemic racism and its deleterious effects on school systems. The letter has since disappeared from the district’s website.

Othman’s supporters claim that D218’s “neutral background” policy for teachers in remote classrooms only came about after Othman tweeted a picture of BLM flag because school officials were pressured by "racist" community members.

Harting did not return an email asking when the policy for a neutral background in teachers’ remote classrooms went into effect, but he did post a statement Tuesday on the Richards High School Facebook page, explaining that the neutral background policy for students and teachers was in the works prior to Othman’s tweet.

“This directive was, ironically, coming from an equity perspective,” Harting said.

Harting further explained that the district received many emails supportive of Othman, as well opposition emails that were “respectful and reasonable in their arguments that teachers should not be imposing their views on students in the classroom.”

“Finally, we also received other emails in opposition — including some extreme ones that were racist in nature,” he continued. “This is the world we live in — a world in which there is angry opposition to almost any opinion. We seem to be losing the ability to have meaningful dialogue about sensitive issues.”

Othman did not wish to be interviewed for this story, but did refer to a post on her personal Facebook page explaining how she's done her best to advocate for her students for the past 23 years. On Tuesday, she tweeted a photo of herself wearing a "Black Lives Matter In School" T-shirt.

“I am overwhelmed from the love and support they have given me over the last few days. I have cried (good tears) and laughed from all of their comments and posts … If anything, this experience has taught me that I’m doing it right. I will ALWAYS advocate for my students—and that will never change. After all, it’s why I became a teacher.”

The CHSD 218 school board is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20. Due to COVID-19 concerns, meetings have been held via Zoom and are open to the public.