Riverside Elementary School Principal Kirk Wright is the subject of blistering criticism in Columbia County after writing a memo to his staff over “concerns regarding the celebration and ‘dress up’ for the 50th day of school.” He wrote that “for some in our community, the 1950s represent a time of racial inequality and school injustice. As such, I’m asking teachers and staff not to organize the traditional costumes and fanfare that go along with this elementary school milestone.”
Longtime WGAC-AM talk radio host Austin Rhodes, who labels Wright’s memo “idiocy,” has been fielding calls on his afternoon show this week, and social media has blown up with tweets and Facebook posts labeling Wright a leftist who believes in “cancel culture.” That was no doubt prompted by another sentence in his memo: “If you have already informed your parents of the ‘dress up’ day, please cancel it.”
Rhodes lashed out by noting “ Hell.. there is something in EVERY DECADE to offend someone” and “Can’t celebrate any American military EVER!”
A few of the many critical Facebook posts included one from Gail Patty: “Critical Race Theory gone mad. This has to stop.” And a comment from Jeff Annis: “This is the kind of negative, close-minded thinking that is ruining it for everyone. I am glad this was made public … I can think of a lot of good things in the 1950s. My wife and I were born. Perhaps we should not celebrate our birthdays.”
As for the “good things,” Facebook poster Angela Johnson Pelletier wrote: “Focus on the good that occurred and if you address the negative (at an age-appropriate level) use it to show how society has overcome. The ‘50s gave us Motown, Elvis, polio vaccine and the start of the space race.”
As this is written, the Columbia County Board of Education hasn’t issued a statement. But InsiderAdvantage has learned that the principal will be retiring at the end of the year.
