Chapter Five
Five
November 10, 2022
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Serious Concern About Book Choice in Classroom!
Mr. Williams,
Good morning. I write to you with a serious concern. As you know, my son Cayden is in your 3rd period AP English Language class. Today he came home with some upsetting news, namely that you would be teaching a book called The Autobiography of Malcolm X in your class. After doing some research about this book, I was really shocked that it would be taught in a high school setting. I can tell you that when I went to Baldwin High in the 90s, this book was not on any reading list!
I have always been a supportive parent who strives to help her children learn and grow at school, but I regret to inform you that this novel choice is not acceptable for my family as it is an example of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and is racist against white people. My children have been raised not to see color and to love all people equally no matter if they are white, brown, black, or purple! This book does not support that worldview.
It is my request that Cayden be given an alternative assignment during this unit. To be honest, I do not think any Baldwin child should be forced to read this book, but my main concern right now is protecting my own son.
I look forward to reading your response.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Hollins
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: Serious Concern About Book Choice in Classroom!
Mrs. Hollins,
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me regarding your concern about The Autobiography of Malcolm X . (If you don’t mind, I must pause here to mention that this text is not a novel, as you put it, because it is not a work of fiction; rather, since it is an autobiography written in collaboration with the late Alex Haley, it is a work of nonfiction.)
Regardless, I am troubled to read that you believe Cayden should not study this text, which for many years my students have found to be provocative, challenging, and interesting. Teaching it is not an endorsement of anything any more than my teaching The Great Gatsby (which, yes, is a novel; again, I feel the need to point out the distinction between fiction and nonfiction) is an endorsement of vehicular manslaughter. Rather, it is an opportunity for my students to grow as thinkers.
If you may recall, the syllabus I handed out at the beginning of the year (which you signed) not only listed this book as part of our future coursework, but also included a paragraph about the value in teaching difficult and sometimes controversial texts. As AP Language is a college-level course that offers college credit, I have chosen to approach the teaching of it in that spirit. I trust that my students are capable scholars who are able to separate themselves from language that may trouble them on a personal level and instead focus on analyzing how the language works to a certain effect. This teaches them to become careful, critical thinkers capable of solving problems, working with others, and communicating clearly. In essence, it teaches them to be good global citizens.
I must also express some confusion over your email as I taught this text to your older son, Jayden, several years ago with no issue. In fact, if I remember clearly, he enjoyed it and thanked me for including it in my curriculum.
Sincerely,
Andrew Williams
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: RE: Serious Concern About Book Choice…
Mr. Williams,
Thank you for your response and for reminding me about the difference between fiction and nonfiction. I confess it’s been a while since I took an English class since my parents insisted I spend my college years studying something “useful” LOL!
The reason I didn’t say anything when Jayden was in your class is that I was not aware at that time about CRT and its dangers. Trust me when I say that had I known, I would have demanded a different assignment for Jayden as well.
I appreciate that you are defending the choice of this book, but I still want a different assignment for Cayden. Preferably, I would like you to supply me with a list of possible texts so that I can choose the one that works best for our family.
Vanessa Hollins
P.S. As for The Great Gatsby , I must tell you that it was one of my favorites in high school. It helped me cherish the idea of the American Dream!
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: FWD: RE: RE: Serious Concern About Book Choice…
See below. I’m fuming.
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: RE: Serious Concern About Book Choice…
Mr. Williams,
Thank you for your response and for reminding me about the difference between fiction and nonfiction. I confess it’s been a while since I took an English class since my parents insisted I spend my college years studying something “useful” LOL!
The reason I didn’t say anything when Jayden was in your class is that I was not aware at that time about CRT and its dangers. Trust me when I say that had I known, I would have demanded a different assignment for Jayden as well.
I appreciate that you are defending the choice of this book, but I still want a different assignment for
—
Lydia Brennan: Hey just saw your forwarded email. Texting my response. I don’t even know how to begin here. From the backhanded insult about English majors to her ATROCIOUS and FLAWED interpretation of The Great Gatsby, that response is a shitshow from beginning to end. I am so sorry. No parent in any of my classes has complained…yet. You know these people talk to each other though.
Andrew Williams: How the hell am I supposed to handle this? Give her what she wants? And then set this precedent that parents set my curriculum?! How is her precious Cayden going to manage in college or life if this is her approach? And to just be whiny about it, I don’t want to have to come up with an entirely separate assignment/assessment because of this. I already get here at the crack of dawn every day to stay on top of grading. This is horseshit.
LB: Yes, it is. But you need to loop in admin ASAP. Given the Lehrer incident and Central Office’s additional eyes on us right now you don’t want to handle this alone. It could get nasty fast.
AW: I guess I should loop in Ms. Baker. I mean, she’s the AP over the English department. I hate to bother her. Lately she seems sort of not herself.
LB: This is only my first year here, but didn’t you say she hasn’t been herself since she lost her wife? Regardless, you need to loop her in.
AW: I’m kind of wondering if I should go to Ms. Jackson.
LB: Why? Because she’s Black?! I don’t see why the guidance counselors’ office should have anything to do with this. This is principal/assistant principal territory.
AW: I know, I know. I suppose it was stupid idea but I thought maybe she’d have some ideas on how to defuse this situation.
LB: My fellow white educator and friend, no. Don’t put that on her. She has enough on her plate just trying to get every senior to earn the credits to graduate on time. It’s not her job to hold your hand here.
AW: Yeah, you’re probably right. But can you tell me…what the hell even IS Critical Race Theory?!
LB: It’s a theory they teach in law school, I think? That racism is essentially part of all of our systems? Trust me, Cayden’s mother can’t explain it to you either; she’s just latched onto some coded language to deal with her own racist discomfort that Baldwin High isn’t as white as it was when she went here in the 90s. I said what I said.
AW: You’re right. I know you’re right. Shit, she just emailed me again. It just popped up.
LB: Forward it and let me see what it says.
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Another point I would like to make
Mr. Williams,
After our last exchange I took time to review your email to me and also forwarded it to my husband so he could read it. I do not want to create a problem between us as you are Cayden’s teacher and I believe that parents and teachers should be in partnership, but I admit upon reflection I do not believe it was appropriate or fair of you to try and educate me on the difference between nonfiction and fiction. The reason for my email was to get a different assignment for my son instead of The Autobiography of Malcolm X , which I have explained to you does not match our worldview or support the values that I am trying to strengthen in my son. The purpose was not to be taught a lesson by you.
Also, my husband suggested I add this point. In your response to me you said you wanted to help your students become “global” citizens. Are we not living in America? Shouldn’t the focus be on growing American citizens? Just a thought.
I think some good books for Cayden to use for this unit might be any of the classics. Something by Ernest Hemingway or someone like him.
Please respond at your earliest convenience as I would like this resolved as soon as possible.
Vanessa Hollins
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: Another point I would…
See below. Can you even believe this bullshit?! WTF! The audacity of this woman to come at me like this?! After I clarified a basic error that should be known to any fifth grader?! She wants Ernest Hemingway. I should just throw The Old Man and the Sea at her precious baby and be done with this. I wonder if she could ever grasp that the values she is trying to engender in her son are closed-mindedness and bigotry. Jesus Christ I am so over this.
—
AW: Did you see that shit?!
LB: What are you talking about? Did you forward me the email?
AW: Yeah, at the end of the period. Did you not get it?
LB: I don’t see it. Are you sure you forwarded it to me?
AW: FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FROM: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]; Mark.Kendricks @district181.org; [email protected]; [email protected]; James.Espinosa @district181.org; [email protected]
SUBJECT: Immediate action demanded now
Mr. Williams,
As I am sure you have discovered by now, you obviously tried to forward my last email to someone else and ended up replying to me instead. Your disgusting response to me, a concerned parent and taxpayer, is copied below so all may see how you chose to talk about me.
To say that I am outraged is an understatement. On this response to you I have CCd my husband Bryan, Principal Kendricks, your appraising administrator Ms. Denise Baker, my school board member Lillian Ellsworth (who happens to be a longtime family friend and will not be pleased by this behavior), the head of Secondary English Language Arts Curriculum for the district Mr. James Espinosa, and the head of all Secondary Education for the district Ms. Melanie Gardner.
I am demanding that my son Cayden be removed from your classroom immediately as it’s obvious that you have a personal vendetta against my family and I cannot be assured that you will grade him fairly moving forward.
Between this and Baldwin’s headline-making behavior that occurred in the courtyard two months ago, I am really starting to wonder if this is the right school for my son. Or for anyone’s child! I am regularly trying to convince my friends who send their children to private schools to consider Baldwin High, but your response makes me question whether I should be the one considering private school.
I will also have you know that Jessica Patterson knows me and I have already reached out to her to let her know about this situation. I am going to encourage her to create a meeting of concerned parents to review not only your book choices but the choices of all English teachers at Baldwin to make sure that they are in alignment with our community values.
Vanessa Hollins
—
LB: Hey, how are you holding up?
AW: Drinking bourbon straight in my living room on a goddamn Thursday evening if that tells you anything.
LB: Understandable. I am so sorry. This is a nightmare.
AW: It is. And I’m an idiot.
LB: I want to tell you to be nicer to yourself, but it’s a pointless exercise. I’d be beating myself up, too. GAH! What happens next?
AW: Kendricks and Baker are looped in, of course. They’re putting out fires on my behalf right now and trying to keep Central Office off our backs, I’m pretty sure. Given this is happening in the wake of the courtyard incident makes it all worse. Anyway, I think the powers that be are trying to figure out if we can just appease Cayden’s parents and make it all go away somehow.
LB: Appease them how, do you think?
AW: We pull Malcolm X for everyone. If we do that, then maybe we end this now and it doesn’t get worse. Oh, and the kid is getting moved out of my classroom and will probably end up on your roster. He’s not a bad kid, really. Gets his work in, says smart stuff. This is all the mom, I’m pretty sure. He probably just mentioned the title to her and she took off running.
LB: I’ll handle it. Don’t worry about that. And if we have to get rid of MX, I guess we do it. But God, I hate giving in to these assholes. It’s such a rich text.
AW: It’s my fault. I should have just acquiesced to her bullshit demands from the start.
LB: But you’re right…then what? They’re in charge of everything we teach? I know this is Texas, but my God, I’ve taught for a long time, and I’ve never felt so afraid to introduce certain works as I have recently. I mean, we’ve discussed this many times. Malcolm X makes some uncomfortable claims in that book. You know I’m not wild about some of his statements regarding women, for example. But so much of what he says still feels so urgent and relevant. He’s an important historical figure who is making an argument. It’s not about endorsing anything; it’s about guiding these kids to think for themselves and understand how arguments are made.
AW: Yeah, guiding kids to think for themselves and understand nuance is why I got into this business. And that approach seems to be in real danger. Not just in Texas but everywhere.
LB: Oh, I got into teaching for the money and the fame.
AW: Funny funny. Okay, I’m going to try and get some rest. Thanks for checking on me.
LB: For sure. This will end. It will be okay. I promise. Hang in there, Andrew.
AW: Thanks, Lydia.
—
Mark Kendricks: Hey, Denise. Sorry to bug you after hours. Texting because I know it’s late plus better to talk this way.
Denise Baker: It’s okay. I’m up. And I’m not surprised you’re up, too. The principal never sleeps, after all. This about the Malcolm X thing?
MK: Yeah. I just got off the phone with Ms. Gardner from Central Office. We’re moving Cayden Hollins into Brennan’s class for starters, and we’re going to have to let Brennan and Williams know we can’t teach Malcolm X this year. It pains me to say that, but that’s how it has to be. I don’t know about future years. Gardner has personally apologized to the mom and agreed to meet with her in person to let her vent and express concerns re: books, etc.
DB: Think that will calm her down enough to keep this off the news and neighborhood Facebook pages?
MK: Hopefully. Ms. Hollins is friendly with Jessica Patterson and that crowd, tho. So…who knows. Williams is a great teacher but man you need to be careful what you’re doing on district email.
DB: I know. God, isn’t there a food bank or something these women can volunteer for with the time they seem to have? Maybe a museum?
MK: Just don’t email them that suggestion. In truth, a lot of our parents are really good people who mean well and advocate for our school, and I’m grateful for them. But some are just misguided. Do me a favor and loop in Williams and Brennan? So they know about the student switch and the curriculum change? I’ll check in with them later, but I’m in meetings at Central Office all day tomorrow. Will probably get questions about this along with how Ashgate is going, as well as the usual frustrations over my resistance to toeing the company line. Good grief.
DB: I’m sorry, Mark.
MK: It’s okay. I’m hanging in there. Hope you are too.
DB: I’m trying.
MK: I know you are. And I’m grateful for you and the fact that I can depend on you, this year more than ever.
DB: Of course, Mark. You’re welcome.
—
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Just wanted to get your take
Ms. Jackson,
I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m reaching out in search of some sort of guidance. Hence an email to the guidance counselor! As you may have heard, a parent took me to task for teaching The Autobiography of Malcolm X in my AP Language class, and there was something of a kerfuffle that followed (along with an accidental email I should never have sent).
It appears that the text will be removed from our curriculum, and it’s really bothering me. I feel it is such an important text with so much to say about race in America. I’ve been teaching it for years and have always received such good feedback from my students, including my white students.
I’m pretty disheartened by this and was looking for some words of wisdom.
Sincerely,
Andrew Williams
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: Just wanted to get your take
Mr. Williams,
Forgive the delay in my response. I had several meetings this morning regarding our dual credit program.
I had heard a bit about this incident but not the particulars. I’m certainly sorry to hear the situation has upset you. I have actually never read the text in question, although it is a favorite of my husband’s.
In this business, we can only focus on what we can do in the moment. We can only focus on the next good choice. It’s been my experience that this is true in life as well. We cannot control other people or their behavior. We can only try to do the next right thing.
I hope next week is an improvement over this one.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jackson
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Update on Hollins situation
Mr. Williams,
I wanted to follow up on our conversation this morning and document our discussion with this email. Thank you for your time today.
To summarize:
Cayden Hollins has been moved to Lydia Brennan’s third period, effective immediately.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X will be replaced for all advanced junior English classes. Future use of the text will be discussed at a later date.
A letter of reprimand concerning your email to Ms. Hollins will be placed in your personnel file. I would like to take the time to remind you that your file is a robust one full of numerous accolades, and one letter of reprimand should not be of a serious concern to you.
Mr. Kendricks is in communication with Central Office over this incident. Cayden’s parents are meeting with Ms. Gardner. Parental voices are always welcome at Baldwin and in this district, of course, so hopefully this meeting with Ms. Gardner will help to smooth things over.
Finally, a personal note. When I was a young college student, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X for a sociology class I was taking. I remember finding it quite thought-provoking, and my classmates and I had many good conversations about it. I have no doubt that by including it in your coursework, you made an impact in the lives of many students. I remain hopeful that the time will come again when it can be included on your syllabus.
Sincerely,
Denise Baker
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: RE: Update on Hollins situation
Ms. Baker,
I appreciate your steadying words and reassurance. Your kindness to me during this time is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Andrew Williams
—
**Mr. Williams’s AP Language and Composition Class Announcements**
ALL PERIODS: Please note an important change to the class syllabus. The Autobiography of Malcolm X has been replaced with an independent choice book. You should choose an autobiographical work about a person in whom you are interested. You must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian that grants permission for your reading choice. Deadlines for reading assignments and assessments TBD. Please see me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Mr. Williams