Photograph Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Every day Beast/MapQuest
A Bay Space highschool teacher is now on depart after college students accused him of instructing antisemitic theories and performing Nazi salutes within the classroom.
However college employees and college students say it took the district far too lengthy to take motion towards the instructor.
Henry Bens, an English instructor at Mount Eden Excessive College, lastly went on depart this week following months of accusations that he was distributing anti-Jewish materials within the classroom, J. The Jewish Information of Northern California reported.
Deputy regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Teresa Drenick known as it “a grasp class in antisemitism,” based on the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bens allegedly required roughly 100 sophomores to learn antisemitic propaganda following their examine of Nineteen Forties Holocaust survivor and activist Elie Wiesel’s memoir. In line with J., Bens made college students learn The Hidden Tyranny, which particulars wild conspiracy theories about Jewish world domination. Drenick deems it the “most virulently antisemitic texts in existence.”
“His reasoning for instructing it was as a result of he was like, ‘Oh, you guys are indoctrinated,’” a pupil advised J.
One other English instructor from Mount Eden, Heather Eastwood, advised the information outlet that The Hidden Tyranny “was written as hate speech, and it continues to be hate speech.”
Since December, college students have requested to be transferred from the category and complained to high school officers about Bens’ lesson plans, saying the instructor advised his pupils their instruction on the Holocaust was one-sided, claimed “Hitler was not a foul individual,” and chanted “Heil Hitler” throughout Nazi salutes, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Bens, who can be a non secular chief at Congregation Rehoboth church in Alameda, has shared a lot of questionable Fb posts. In November, he praised a number of controversial books on Judaism, together with one by a identified antisemite. He additionally shared a submit selling Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, the film that Kyrie Irving tweeted a hyperlink to final 12 months, which finally resulted in his Nets suspension.
Bens has additionally doubted the severity of “the so-called coronavirus”—claiming confusion across the pandemic was attributable to individuals being led astray by Devil—and brought purpose on the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
On Feb. 15, college officers lastly addressed college students’ complaints, writing in an electronic mail to households that the antisemitic propaganda would now not be distributed and insisting the district was working to “restore hurt” attributable to the teachings, J. reported.
Workers and college students spoke towards Bens at a faculty board assembly later that day.
Ruchita Verma, a senior pupil, stated, “Antisemitism, a type of hate speech, exists at Mount Eden Excessive College. Instructing antisemitic textual content, equivalent to The Hidden Tyranny on campus violates [Hayward Unified School District] race and ethnicity coverage and California code…that prohibits discrimination.”
“The administration was made conscious on Dec. 13, and so they haven't but intervened by entering into the classroom to assist college students,” she added.
“Holocaust denial and antisemitic hate speech are being taught right here on taxpayer salaries,” Eastwood stated. “I’m right here at present to sound the alarm concerning the appalling silence of our administration at Mount Eden Excessive College and on the district stage as…Jewish conspiracies are unfold.”
“My criticism right here at present is with our admin which have executed nothing to treatment the scenario. Our division has gotten no help, as we battle to deal with the antisemitism. They’ve executed nothing to deal with the hurt triggered to us as individuals,” she stated. “All I can see is silent complicity.”
Bens, Mount Eden Excessive College, and Hayward Unified College District didn't instantly return The Every day Beast’s requests for remark Friday.
In line with the San Francisco Chronicle, Hayward college district introduced Bens’ depart on Wednesday and stated there can be an investigation throughout his absence.
“Hayward Unified College District doesn't condone or tolerate any kind of hateful or biased rhetoric, together with anti-Semitism,” an announcement to the newspaper learn.
“We take these allegations very significantly, and the instructor alleged to have made such statements and used inappropriate supplies is at present on a depart of absence. College students from all backgrounds and religions ought to really feel welcome and secure to precise themselves whereas they be taught, and that's the sort of district we purpose to be. Hatred and discrimination, in any kind, has by no means been welcome in our district.”