Korean American groups in New Jersey are speaking out against a teacher at Bergen County Academies accused of telling students she “hated Koreans.”
NorthJersey.com reports students say the teacher instructed Korean students to raise their hands, and then said she hated Koreans. In another incident, she allegedly asked students about their cultures, told them she loved them but again hated Koreans.
“We want to educate parents and if that happens we are going to let them know we all stand for whoever needs help,” Korean American Association of New Jersey President, Ellyn Park, said at a press conference.
“As a mother of two children, I find this incident heartbreaking,” Grace Song of the Korean Parents Group of Palisades Park, said during a news conference, according to Carbonated TV.
“I can’t believe such a remark was uttered by an educator no less, when civil rights are taken so seriously in the United States and in New Jersey,” Song added. “In solidarity with the Korean community and with all Korean students, I’d like to stand with the community to resolve this issue.”
The teacher’s name has not been made public, but Next Shark reports school administrators met with Korean-American Association of New Jersey, Korean American Civic Empowerment and the Korean Parents Partnership Organization to discuss the issue.
“Intolerance, insensitivity, or discrimination of any sort is contrary to the values and policies of the school district and not tolerated,” said School Superintendent Howard Lerner. “Matters brought to the school’s attention are promptly and thoroughly investigated. Remedial measures are taken in appropriate circumstances.”
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