An Illinois school has launched an investigation after a teacher claimed “white privilege” was as offensive as the N-word, according to reports.
The Palatine High School teacher, who was not identified, prompted backlash when she said in since-deleted Facebook posts that calling out white privilege was racist, news station WGNTV reported.
“I find the term ‘white privilege’ as racist as the N-word. You have not walked in my shoes either so do not make assumptions about me and my so-called privilege,” she reportedly wrote.
The educator, who teaches social studies, apparently then went on to call Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton “race-baiters,” the outlet said.
“You think America is racist? Then you have been hoodwinked by the white liberal establishment and race-baiters like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton,” she wrote.
Local activist Tim McGowan, who recently organized a Black Lives Matter protest, called for the school to fire the teacher, news station WMAQ reported.
“Everyone is entitled to speak out and to speak their mind, but as a teacher molding minds, it’s completely unacceptable to have those kinds of narrow ideas,” McGowan told the outlet.
Principal Tony Medina said the social media posts from the teacher “do not represent the values and principles” of the staff, news station WMAQ reported.
“We are currently conducting an investigation and will follow through with appropriate measures,” Medina said.