Salem substitute teacher reportedly tells fifth-grader to 'go back to Mexico'

[Judi Lynn]

by Lincoln Graves, KATU NewsThursday, March 7th 2019

SALEM, Ore. — A substitute teacher has been barred from teaching at any school in the Salem-Keizer district after making a racially charged comment toward a fifth-grader at Swegle Elementary.

The teacher, who hasn't been identified, reportedly told the student he should "go back to Mexico" if he didn't want to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

"That comment that a substitute made to my son is not appreciated for any of my family members or myself," said Liliana Ruiz, mother of Steven Zendejas, the boy involved.

"She said, 'If you don't want to sing, go back to Mexico' and that made me feel really, really bad," Zendejas said.

More:
https://katu.com/news/local/salem-substitute-teacher-tells-fifth-grader-to-go-back-to-mexico

[Hortensis]

1. Sadly, my guess is the sub still doesn't really know why

what she did was so wrong. Oh, well. She's history.

[Kind of Blue]

2. So glad the school district dealt with the teacher swiftly

and this made news in the whites-only founded Utopian state.

I know how the kid feels but my mom put an end to that. She gave me an amazing retort when I'd come home crying from Go back to Africa slurs. To kids and adults alike, "Of course, when every white person leaves Africa, I'd be happy to go back. Let me know when that happens"

[Judi Lynn]

3. That's perfect! Had never heard it, and will definitely remember it now that I have. Thanks. n/t