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“Cruel, Racist And Classist”: Protesters Stage “Read-In” At HISD Board Meeting

The board of managers for the Houston Independent School District weathered another stormy meeting on Aug. 10. Protests started even before the meeting began. At the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center that evening, community members staged a “read-in” in protest of HISD’s recent policy change on libraries. (Recently, the Forward Times reported that 28 […]
The post “Cruel, Racist And Classist”: Protesters Stage “Read-In” At HISD Board Meeting first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

August 16, 2023

Forward Times Staff

The board of managers for the Houston Independent School District weathered another stormy meeting on Aug. 10. Protests started even before the meeting began. At the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center that evening, community members staged a “read-in” in protest of HISD’s recent policy change on libraries. (Recently, the Forward Times reported that 28 schools in superintendent Mike Miles’ “New Education System” would dismiss librarians and turn libraries into “team centers,” where misbehaving students would be sent to view lessons virtually.)

Beginning at 4:30 pm, protesters gathered in the lobby, sat down, and began reading. They sprawled across the floor with novels, nonfiction and poetry books. Once the meeting began at 5:30, they took their protest inside. In fact, the first person to speak before the board brought up the library policy – though she also spoke out on the board’s proposal to have public meetings without the presence of an attorney.

Ruth Hoffman-Lack came to the mic with a warning. “First of all, I’m not an attorney and I’m not giving legal advice. But I strongly recommend that you do speak to an attorney regarding the proposal to send disruptive students to centers, even if it’s for ‘time out,’ as Mr. Miles described last week.

As I understand it, the policy violates the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, or IDEA. It’s very clear that students enrolled in special education must receive services in the least restrictive environment possible. Removing a student from the classroom, even to a center where the student can watch the classroom on Zoom, is placing the child in a more restrictive environment. The only legal way to remove a child, even for time out, is to write it into the behavior intervention plan. So, you definitely need to have your attorney at all of your meetings because this—”

The bell rang, concluding her comments after one minute. Her mic was cut. But the second speaker, Ann Eagleton, picked up right where she left off. “I have a concern that you’re being penny wise and pound foolish,” she told the board. “Please be thoughtful. You’re new here. You don’t even know why you might need an attorney. Hold off making this policy change.”

Sim Kern riled up the crowd with an impassioned speech about Miles’ proposal to make sweeping changes to magnet programs.

“Both of my children attend public schools with magnet programs in Houston’s East End,” she said. “A magnet program can be the soul of a school. It attracts teachers and students who are passionate about what they’re studying. To deny this type of program only to those schools in the poorest neighborhoods is cruel, racist, and classist.” She continued, her voice rising: “We know the STAAR test measures one thing, more than any other metric: socioeconomic status. And therefore, by stripping NES schools of magnet programs, libraries and teachers who are invested in staying there long-term, you are punishing children for being born poor. You are saying: no music, no fine arts, no engineering or robotics or even—”

Though she was cut off after one minute, Kern continued to speak, her voice audible even away from the mic. Houston Federation of Teachers president Jackie Anderson came forward shortly afterward to speak out against a proposal of hiring uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. She said it would “paint a poor picture” of HISD and wouldn’t produce better outcomes for children: “Research shows that non-certified teachers and administrators have low retention rates.

We have been notified of people walking in off the street, simply breathing, leaving out with hiring offer letters — with no background check,” Anderson alleged. “You are demeaning the profession.”

Later, one speaker delivered a heartbreaking message. “I’m Ashley Prince, a certified educator, mother to five and children’s book author, with 15 years of educational experience,” she began. “I’m here today because I was offered a letter for hire by an NES-aligned campus and received a message that something had stopped my eligibility process. I came to Hattie Mae White Center and learned that I was terminated in 2017 by the board for performance, upon a leave I took in regards to the untimely passing of my then-12-year-old daughter.”

Prince claimed her termination letter was fraudulently signed. But before she could fully detail her plight, the bell rang, and she was dismissed, with her concerns unaddressed.

Houston NAACP President Bishop James Dixon also spoke. “In the 5th grade of Helms Elementary,” he said, “a librarian put in my hand a book on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I can say to you that if it had not been for that librarian and that book, I would not be standing here tonight. That book gave me a conviction of compassion to become a humanitarian for the rest of my life…There are many more James Dixons in many more classrooms who need libraries,” he continued, adding: “If you take a book out of a child’s hand, you take a future out of a child’s life.”

Angela Ravin-Anderson, a reverend at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, delivered three white boxes filled with nearly 2,000 signed letters from her congregation — all in opposition to the library change. She said her church was concerned about a “separate and unequal learning environment” for Black and brown children. “There is no research that supports the closing of libraries,” she said. “We know that literacy will help derail the pre-K to prison pipeline.” She presented the letters to the board, drawing rapt, sustained applause.

When Mike Miles arrived and began his presentation, members of the audience turned their backs to him. They held books and signs before the cameras.

The post “Cruel, Racist And Classist”: Protesters Stage “Read-In” At HISD Board Meeting appeared first on Forward Times.

The post “Cruel, Racist And Classist”: Protesters Stage “Read-In” At HISD Board Meeting first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.