Newton Principal Criticized For Response To Rittenhouse Verdict

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 Ahmaud 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."

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.

In response to the criticism, Turner defended his position and the efforts of Newton Public Schools to make sure all students are heard.

"My response to the recent verdict in the Rittenhouse case is consistent with information and messages we have shared when other national events like this have occurred,” said Turner. "It is also reflective of my personal experience as a person of color. While I recognize that others may not have seen this event as a matter of race, it was and is considered a matter of race, particularly by our students and staff of color.”

"This verdict comes in the context of protests highlighting the inequities and the systemic racism in our judicial and government systems,” he continued. "We have a commitment as a school and as a district to recognize these inequities and to ensure our students have the tools they need to think critically and thoughtfully about these complex issues."