A high school principal has spoken out about the treatment he has received from the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) in Texas, where he served for many years. Dr. James Whitfield, who became the principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in 2020, shared his experiences in a lengthy post on social media.
After he was named the principal of Heritage Middle School in 2019, Whitfield recalled that he got a phone call from the district's superintendent and instantly thought it was to congratulate him for his new role. However, the principal revealed that he was told to take down a few photos on his social media account where he's seen kissing his wife, Kerrie, on the beach.
In an email sent to Whitfield, the school district officials said they received complaints about the "questionable" intimate photos, and they didn't want them to be an "example" for the students. The principal said that the beach photos were taken ten years ago when he and Kerrie celebrated their anniversary in Mexico. Hence the images were romantic and intimate.
When Whitfield informed Kerrie of the school district's email, she became upset and assumed that it wasn't the kiss that bothered the officials but because the photo showed a Black man who had a tattoo on his arm. The pair thought that the school officials frowned upon their interracial relationship, but Whitfield did as told, and the photos were never brought up again.
Vilified in School
Last year, Whitfield achieved another highlight in his career when he became the first African American to be named the high school principal of Colleyville. However, since taking the role, Whitfield said that he was more vilified at the school board and became the target of racial attacks.
He was accused of teaching critical race theory to the high school kids after making one presentation during the school's Education Week. The principal said that the local press cited parents who were upset over the presentation because it seemed to perpetuate the belief that some Americans are inherently racist. However, Whitfield said that he was not the creator of the presentation.
The principal also revealed that he received numerous "racist threats and statements" during the board meetings. At the last meeting on July 26, some board members broached the idea that the principal must be fired. This prompted Whitfield to finally speak up and write his long-winded message on Facebook.
"I cannot ask people to speak up if I am unwilling to do so myself," Whitfield wrote. "Just because I am a school administrator that does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself."
Support from the Community
As of press time, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District has not yet commented on the principal's statement, but they confirmed asking Whitfield to take down the photos. The board denied it had to do with race.
Despite the tension at the school board, some members of the community have launched a petition in support of Whitfield. On Twitter, #IStandWithDrWhitfield has also gained support with some parents speaking about Whitfield as a person who has a beautiful family.
The principal said he's still waiting for a public apology after years of telling himself to be positive and just deal with the situation.
