On the heels of posting this supremely stupid facebook message mocking his school’s gay/straight alliance, science teacher David Foggin has been suspended for four days.
The school board has yet to determine whether the time off will be paid or unpaid. We’re hoping the latter. What we’re really hoping for is a sudden career change.
Foggin took to his PR medium of choice — Facebook — to share his feelings on his current situation, posting:
“I love everyone and I promote fairness and equality. I have difficulty with favoritism and bias given any person or group.”
Call us old fashioned, but doesn’t a gay/straight alliance by definition promote fairness and equality?
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
But David’s next inspirational post is the real kicker:
“Love you all. Get a concealed carry permit while u still can. Protect urself and ur(sic) family. Thank God for every breath he give u!!(sic)”
Aaaaand we’re out.
While it’s clear why David isn’t teaching English, we have to wonder about those science classes. “The earth was created 6,000 years ago for men to stuff handguns down their pants.”
And for any gay student at Parkersburg South High who’s forced to come back from spring break to this sad excuse of an educator, our hearts are with you.
Aromaeus
This man is a science teacher. He is in charge of educating children 5 days of the week. I just can’t right now. Also despite the name gay/straight alliances are for everyone so it’s not like it’s a “special” group when literally anyone who can join as long as you believe in equality.
Dakotahgeo
Another hillbilly gut bomb who never should have been given a College Diploma or Teaching Certificate. I’ll bet the poor bastard had to be tutored all four years of high school AND college. I tutored many of these sports jackalopes!
Dakotahgeo
@Dakotahgeo: Follow.
Cam
And again, him not being able to attack and vilify gays means that gays are being shown Favoritism.
This guy shouldn’t be teaching
Texasteacher
It sounds like he needs to be Facebook-fired. He’s making public statements that demonstrate bias against a segment of students enrolled in his classes and he’s taken a public stance against a recognized organization in his school. Gay/straight alliances help schools, because when students hear announcements for the club over the intercom and see the club’s signs in the hallways, they are receiving the message that administration will not turn a blind eye to the bullying of LGBT students or anyone perceived to be LGBT. It assists school administration in setting a tone of tolerance and defines boundaries of expected student behavior. The teachers at that school either need to support the structure of safety or be let go.
Ridpathos
I’m an out middle school science teacher, so for every kid he breeds stupidity in, I’ll educate more to be intelligent and accepting.
GeriHew
“Call us old fashioned, but doesn’t a gay/straight alliance by definition promote fairness and equality?”
No. By definition it perpetuates monosexism.
The monosexism is right there in the title: “Gay/Straight Alliance”
Hey guys, what about the rest of us?
vvandalov
As a native Mountaineer (Beckley), I am proud that a school district in my birth state is taking a stand (althought weak) against bigotry. I might suggest that in lieu of termination, Mr. Foggin be given offered the opportunity to volunteer weekly at a LGBTQI agency. Research indicates that ignorance breeds bigotry. Perhaps if Mr. Foggin had the privilege of befriending LGBTQI individuals, he may recognize our common humanity, developing an evolved empathy for the virulent bullying and arduous struggle for simple equality that LGBTQI individuals daily face.
bedazzler75
Well speaking as someone who is from this town. There is no appropriate response to this situation other than immediate termination. You have to hit these people over the head with a 2×4 before they can even attempt an original thought. Growing up in the schools there was my own personal nightmare, and I really feel sorry for the kids there today.
tjr101
He looks like your average good christian republican (hate to stereotype but I just get the vibe). And what kind of science is a guy like this teaching, intelligent design?
Cam
@GeriHew:
And there it is, never doing anything themselves, just yelling at everybody else.
Dakotahgeo
@Ridpathos: THAT… is what it’s all about! Thank you for your service!
Dakotahgeo
@GeriHew: Fortunately, with that attitude… your kind doesn’t qualify. Start thinking correctly, and we may let you reapply.
GeriHew
@Dakotahgeo: I feel that some people have a better understanding of what it really means to be inclusive than some of the people around here….
http://www.unitedcampusministry.org/organizations/blgtqsa/
http://web.sa.sc.edu/bglsa/#.UyyqOs4Yu4U
JustinMcKown
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Justin McKown
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3 hours agoDetails
I’m the faculty advisor to the GSA club in question. I also teach English at Parkersburg South. I’m so very saddened by the hardships and chaos the students have endured this past week. I’m proud of the way the members of the GSA responded. They realized the difference between standing up for their rights and starting a fight. They’ve experienced many negative comments and are exhausted and ready for Spring break. Some encouraging words would be great for them right now. https://www.facebook.com/parke…
This is not a McKown vs. Foggin thing or a GSA vs. Foggin thing inspite of the Ad Hominem attacks on me. https://www.facebook.com/photo…
The man in the picture is not me. It was a funny photo that I posted from an awkward Christmas photo site. The idea that Mrs. Foggin would post an attack on me is ludicrous. It’s also deeply saddening as she is further perpetuating a sense of bullying and homophobia by assuming the man in the picture is a homosexual or a crossdresser. Apparently for some, a silly pose and an ugly sweater = gay. This is further proof that a GSA needs to exist in this area. Perhaps you can talk some sense into her. Please keep it classy as I do not wish to speak ill of anyone. I only want people to see that prejudice can be overcome in a positive, loving way.
The local paper did run a story about the positivity of the group in the community and that the club is continuing what they’ve always done: education, prevention of isolation, and the creation of safe school environments. Here’s the link for the article:http://newsandsentinel.com/pag…
Dakotahgeo
@JustinMcKown: Sadly, every Link you’ve posted has either been hacked, closed down, or someone has been bullied into taking them down. These people must be awfully embarrassed and ashamed of their School Admin and School Board… and they rightly should be! ‘Tis such a shame. Oy veh!