September 14, 2016
Submitted for the record by nominee for State Board of Education Nikki Snyder
Viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR1FUyVcnoY
Good Afternoon. I would like to take a moment to have the full conversation regarding safety in our schools that the LGBTQ guidance proposal has failed to address even after revision. When defining safety in schools, including bathrooms and locker rooms, it is negligent to define such an important concept from the perspective of one marginalized group. It is further culturally incompetent to define it for one marginalize group without any civil rights legislation needed to support such directives.
After thousands of online comments, phone calls, and messages, public comments and concerns raised by lawsuits across the country, it seems nothing short of exploiting transgender kids for political gain. Even our Supreme Court has agreed to take pause and give the issues and concerns the deliberation necessary to take next best steps. After all it is important to consider all stakeholders in the definition of safety and not just one. I think it is best for the reality of the issues and concerns at stake. As a board do we find ourselves culpable to the safety of other marginalize groups, like the sexually assaulted? Kim, I thought you had an excellent question. You asked what the second round of stakeholder conversations brought to the table. Who was represented in that second conversation? Because I know one thing about the first group, sexually assaulted was an especially important stakeholder. And it was not addressed in the follow-up presentation.
Perhaps, we should visit the importance of parental notification and consent in teaching sexual identity and gender as it is already happening in classes statewide. It is important to think critically about the impact of our decisions and to have the foresight to be prepared to address consequences. As a serious advocate of disabled kids and students with IETs I suggest we approach future decisions with caution.
It was recently suggested that we should look at transgender kids as if they have a war wound. I am fully committed to collectively fighting for the right to be respected, for those who are marginalized and ostracized, but it is so important to recognize the unique needs that kids and adults with disabilities and soldiers with actual war wounds struggle with daily. The limited and precious resources for them need to be protected. In fifty years, no matter what social changes occur, those with disabilities will still be faced with those unique challenges.
Unfortunately, although we are all partners today in addressing bullying and inclusiveness, I cannot partner with the vote that is likely to happen on this proposal. I leave ready to address the issues I discussed already, and the goals to inform parents of the serious loss of rights that are at stake today. Lastly, I leave ready to share the importance of not using marginalize kids for political benefit. As leaders that should both reject hatred and think critically in our next best steps, this is what the state of Michigan and our children deserve. Thank you.
Submitted for the record by nominee for State Board of Education Nikki Snyder
Viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR1FUyVcnoY
Good Afternoon. I would like to take a moment to have the full conversation regarding safety in our schools that the LGBTQ guidance proposal has failed to address even after revision. When defining safety in schools, including bathrooms and locker rooms, it is negligent to define such an important concept from the perspective of one marginalized group. It is further culturally incompetent to define it for one marginalize group without any civil rights legislation needed to support such directives.
After thousands of online comments, phone calls, and messages, public comments and concerns raised by lawsuits across the country, it seems nothing short of exploiting transgender kids for political gain. Even our Supreme Court has agreed to take pause and give the issues and concerns the deliberation necessary to take next best steps. After all it is important to consider all stakeholders in the definition of safety and not just one. I think it is best for the reality of the issues and concerns at stake. As a board do we find ourselves culpable to the safety of other marginalize groups, like the sexually assaulted? Kim, I thought you had an excellent question. You asked what the second round of stakeholder conversations brought to the table. Who was represented in that second conversation? Because I know one thing about the first group, sexually assaulted was an especially important stakeholder. And it was not addressed in the follow-up presentation.
Perhaps, we should visit the importance of parental notification and consent in teaching sexual identity and gender as it is already happening in classes statewide. It is important to think critically about the impact of our decisions and to have the foresight to be prepared to address consequences. As a serious advocate of disabled kids and students with IETs I suggest we approach future decisions with caution.
It was recently suggested that we should look at transgender kids as if they have a war wound. I am fully committed to collectively fighting for the right to be respected, for those who are marginalized and ostracized, but it is so important to recognize the unique needs that kids and adults with disabilities and soldiers with actual war wounds struggle with daily. The limited and precious resources for them need to be protected. In fifty years, no matter what social changes occur, those with disabilities will still be faced with those unique challenges.
Unfortunately, although we are all partners today in addressing bullying and inclusiveness, I cannot partner with the vote that is likely to happen on this proposal. I leave ready to address the issues I discussed already, and the goals to inform parents of the serious loss of rights that are at stake today. Lastly, I leave ready to share the importance of not using marginalize kids for political benefit. As leaders that should both reject hatred and think critically in our next best steps, this is what the state of Michigan and our children deserve. Thank you.