A child’s safety is not a joke.
I usually don’t waste my time responding to inappropriate comments made by ignorant people regarding food allergies. I’d rather spend my time educating others and working for positive change. However, this remark just could not and should not be ignored. It was made by a member of a board of education in Clawson, Michigan. I only viewed the short clip shown here. In the clip, it sounds as though a faculty member is asking the board to address food allergy management citing that there is at least one child in every classroom now. In response to this, a BOE member, identified on the site as Linda Grossman, states, “Well you should just shoot them.” Laughter is heard after the remark from several people.
To view for yourself, see this link.
This is an unacceptable “joke” in age where school shootings are real threats and bullying of food allergic children is at a whopping 45%. I often speak about the impact of our words and actions as adults. It is unacceptable for any person to suggest such a horrific deed, but I hold our public officials to an even higher standard. Board of Education members are tasked with overseeing the health, safety and education of the children in their care. This type of comment is in direct conflict with that responsibility. It is ignorant at best and careless, heartless and downright dangerous at it’s worst.
I sincerely hope that this school district takes the appropriate action here and sends a strong message to their community that joking about “shooting” children is NEVER acceptable and ALL children are deserving of a safe and healthy environment in which to learn.
Please feel free to post your thoughts on this issue.
Tags: BOE, Clawson, food allergy, Linda Grossman, Michigan, Sandy Hook, shooting
All I can say Gina is people have truly lost their filter and have an extremely warped sense of humor. If people could just be the change…
xo
Kristin
I really don’t know why this woman thought that that would be an appropriate comment. Putting aside the fact that it was directed at children with food allergies, it is also highly offensive to the many families that have lost loved ones in school shootings. As a resident of CT, I live about 45 minutes from Sandy Hook. I am truly appalled that anyone would be make light of such a serious issue. I truly hope that swift and appropriate action is taken.
Gina, So very well said. This is a complete outrage. I cannot believe anyone would say that about any child. Still completely stunned over this comment. Sandy Hook immediately came to my mind, Just sickening. This absolutely should not be tolerated. She should absolutely be removed from her position immediately. I feel for the children and families of that community that such ignorance is involved in the decision making for their children.
I agree Taylor. Thanks for sharing your point of view. When you are a public figure in a public forum you must be held responsible for your words and actions. They have a profound impact on others. I hope to see a public apology and swift action from the BOE.
Can we push this on the local news.. @WXYZ
Hi Melissa,
I’ve reached out to my personal contacts in the media. I know others have as well. I think there is an interview scheduled today in Michigan.
Well said.
Thank you Robin!
I understand the attempt at levity, however it is poorly misplaced and inexcusable.
Speaking as a paramedic, there is now worse dispatch information than being sent to a child having an allergic reaction. Seeing just once the panic and fear in their eyes while they turn blue as their airway is closing is burned into every emergency providers mind. We train hours and hours to be able to react to that.
These children have potentially life threatening reactions to common everyday items. Parents have to worry every day the child leaves, especially younger children who may not yet cognitively understand the mechanism to their allergy. Parents have to worry about teachers being careless, ignorant or in the worst case adults not having the resolve to administer the epi pen.
These children have no choice in their allergy. To scorn, ridicule or in anyway make them feel persecuted for their medical condition is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
Educators should educate. I do my job, if they can’t do their they should be dismissed immediately.
Brian, Thank you so much for sharing your experience as a paramedic and also for the huge service you provide for your community. As a mother who has has to rely on paramedics, more than once, to respond to anaphylaxis, I really appreciate the life-saving work that you do. You make excellent points. Thanks for sharing!
This woman should definitely be removed from her position as a board member. What an insensitive comment for her to make!
I agree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. She has now resigned and I think that is appropriate.
Glad she’s off the board, but does she still work with or around children? People like this cannot be trusted around kids, IMHO…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dave. I’m not sure what she does outside of her former BOE position.