DC Mayor's Hypocrisy in Whistleblower Appreciation Day Proclamation

Note: Below speech delivered at US Capitol on July 27, 2023 to government official, advocates and whistleblowers at Whistleblower Appreciation Day. See article.

As a Ward 8 resident, East of the River, in the District of Columbia, I commend our mayor of Washington, D.C., for recognizing Whistleblower Appreciation Day and boldly proclaiming that DC government whistleblowers are often punished, instead of being acknowledged and appreciated, for simply doing our job.

Again, thank you Mayor Bowser.

Famous American writer James Baldwin once said, "I cannot believe what you say, because I see what you do."

Famous DC resident Fredrick Douglas posed a thought-provoking question: "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?" His answer highlighted how celebrations and proclamations can be seen as hollow gestures when injustice and cruelty persist.

Madam Mayor, to quote Frederick Douglas, “your celebration[proclamation] is a sham!"

It is an empty proclamation that holds no value especially when the actions do not align with the words spoken.

Why? My former colleagues and I from Boone Elementary, a DC Public School, are the constant victims of the mayor's persistent retaliation.

Let me explain:

My co-whistleblower, Dr. Carolyn Jackson-King, former principal at Boone Elementary, who initiated sounding the alarm, is here with us today. We have leveled claims against the mayor for engaging in unlawful retaliation and termination.

Some call us courageous, but our claims stem from simply doing our core legal responsibility as “mandated reporters:” reporting harm done to children.

The mayor MANDATED unethical program practices unfairly targeting underprivileged Black students while exempting affluent White students. The harmful intent and impact adversely affect Black children. See article

This situation highlights a concerning discrepancy in how different groups of students are treated under mayoral control of DC Public Schools.

And Certainly, this is not what DC residents want our taxpayer dollars to achieve.

This part is important --Listen Carefully

Ever since our termination, the mayor has been engaging in acts of revenge against our former colleagues at Boone Elementary through retaliation and termination -- all which have a direct impact on the livelihoods of honest and diligent staff members who have had no involvement in any whistleblowing activities.

My former colleagues are being targeted and terminated solely due to their association with either myself or Dr. Jackson King.

Just last month, three highly effective and beloved Boone Elementary staff were discharged from their positions. Two of these individuals each dedicated an impressive span of 27 years to Boone Elem.

These three women were fired because they engage in a monthly social outing with Dr. Jackson-King and post pics on Facebook.

Boone Elementary School has been plagued by a series of firings and retaliations against custodians, administrators, staff and teachers associated with me and or Dr. Jackson-King.

And still with no end in sight.

Again, I boldly profess: I can't believe the words you say, Mayor Bowser because I see what you do.

This is NOT the Emmy Award winning sitcom Abbott Elementary, this is real life, that impact children and families at Boone Elementary.

And it is no secret in DC that the mayor's pervasive toxic culture of fear, silence & intimidation extends to every individual within the DC Public Schools system - including approximately 4,000 teachers, 3,000 school staff and 300 school leaders.

And these acts align with the mayor's proclamation assertion that individuals who disclose wrongdoing are punished and clearly demonstrate that she has become the oppressor and the perpetrator of the very practices she claims to stand against.

In conclusion, Unequivocally, my former colleagues at Boone Elementary are currently under attack . And here I most note: DC is not an isolated occurrence, across the nation educators are under attack

Help us amplify our voices. Help us Make them hear us!

The mayor's proclamation may proclaim appreciation for whistleblowers, but her actions demonstrate a stark contradiction.

Therefore, is the mayor of DC, in the recent words of my dear brother Dr. Cornell West, one of the "too many Black leaders who have become too well-adjusted to injustice?"

The solution does not require the US Congressional Oversight Committee or DC City Council; the solution simply requires the mayor to repair.

Madam mayor of the District of Columbia:

Leadership is not about being in charge.

Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.