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He said some students believed their experiences and identities were not adequately reflected during the session and that others left feeling uncomfortable.
By Shula Rosen
The principal of William Diamond Middle School issued an apology to Arab and Muslim students following complaints about a Holocaust lesson, saying some students felt “unsafe.”
In a message sent to students, Principal Johnny Cole acknowledged that the lesson had generated concerns among members of the school community. He said some students believed their experiences and identities were not adequately reflected during the session and that others left feeling uncomfortable.
“Some of you felt unseen. Some of you felt that your own history, identity, or community was left out or erased. Some of you left that session feeling less safe, not more,” Cole wrote.
Cole apologized for the outcome of the lesson and said the school had fallen short of its goals.
“Every one of you deserves to walk into this school and feel that who you are matters – Arab students, Jewish students, Lebanese students, Muslim students, Palestinian students,” he wrote.
The principal said school staff were working with families and community members to create future programming that “includes all of our histories.” He also wrote that he was “sorry” and said the Holocaust lesson had “missed the mark.”
The email sparked criticism from Stop Antisemitism, which objected to the apology and argued that teaching about the Holocaust should not require an expression of regret from school administrators.
“Since when is teaching historical fact something that requires an apology? And why is a school principal validating outrage over Holocaust education instead of defending it? Since when is teaching historical fact something that requires an apology? And why is a school principal validating outrage over Holocaust education instead of defending it?” the organization said.
The controversy is the latest involving the school and Cole.
Earlier, student Teaghan Murtagh wrote to the Lexington Observer about a dispute involving a T-shirt she said she was instructed not to wear at school. The shirt bore the message: “Save the bees. Plant more trees. Clean the seas. Punch Nazis.”
Cole’s email did not indicate that Holocaust instruction would be removed from the curriculum. Instead, he said the school was seeking ways to address concerns raised by students and families while developing future lessons and discussions.
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