Manhattan Exclusive Private School in Flap Over “Woke” Video

Manhattan Exclusive Private School in Flap Over “Woke” Video

Despite a seeming apology, parents of children attending a very exclusive private school in Manhattan remain angry over a video that mocks white women.

The parents of attendees of the Spence School in Manhattan have rejected an apology from embattled principal Bodie Brizendine over the video and are now targeting its board as well.

“While I was upset after hearing what happened at Spence, the email from Bodie that followed really pushed me over the edge,” says a letter recently sent by a parent to the principal and school board — and widely backed by other parents, sources said.

“Further, that the board has not weighed in on this matter gives the impression that the board shares the opinion that racism is indeed acceptable as long as it fits within the climate of the times,” the letter raged.

Spence — which counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Kerry Washington among its graduates — became engulfed in controversy after a teacher showed her eighth-grade class an episode of Ziwe Fumudoh’s Showtime series in which the racially charged comedian asks writer Fran Lebowitz, “What percentage of white women do you hate? And there is a right answer.”

The parent letter seething over the incident accused Brizendine of later issuing a mealy mea culpa that didn’t adequately address parental concerns.

“This video is not part of the Spence curriculum,” the principal had assured parents in her note. “Our teacher and the School acknowledge that sharing a satirical video that made fun of white women was a significant mistake.”

But the parent, who the New York Post said has “many allies” on the issue, accused Brizendine of using gauzy language that minimized the incident.

“Choosing to label the video as ‘satirical’ and that it ‘made fun of’ and ‘ridicules’ is a gross understatement,” the parent wrote. “That you ‘fully trust the professionalism of your dedicated faculty and will be strengthening protocols’ is not an acceptable response.”

Spence is one of many city private schools that have erupted in internal strife over what some parents view as a “woke” fixation on race and the subordination of basic academics to progressive ideology.

Former Grace Church School math teacher Paul Rossi set off a private-school reckoning in April after penning an essay accusing his institution of “indoctrinating” students and stamping out dissent.

Parents at the equally exclusive and expensive Dalton School revolted last month after first-graders were shown sex-ed videos that included cartoons about masturbation.

The teacher behind the presentation, Justine Ang Fonte, ultimately resigned amid the uproar.

In the letter to Spence brass, the parent said the school had long enjoyed a reputation for “strong academics and for helping to mold intelligent, caring, strong, capable, independent young women.

“I regret that it no longer feels like academics, or these other qualities, is a priority,” the letter said. The scathing letter called on Brizendine to do more to address the school’s deepening fissures.

“Make no mistake, you have lost my ‘trust and support and it is up to you to earn it back,” the parent wrote.

3 thoughts on “Manhattan Exclusive Private School in Flap Over “Woke” Video

  1. Sad that any of this nonsense is allowed in in schools, private, public k-12 or even government funded universities. This is a really screwed up world with a lot of sick disgusting people. You teach what is suppose to be taught, not your own agenda. If you can’t or won’t do these, immediately termination and banned from teaching and exiled from this great country. If you do not love this country, there are many other countries to live in. Make a choice!!!

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