“We believe that they faced retaliation due to raising certain concerns that were delicate for the government,” expressed Craig Robinson, the brother of Michelle Obama, the former first lady.
During the virtual learning period last year, Robinson mentioned that it commenced by providing constructive criticism to the school regarding instructional approaches that he and his spouse found concerning.
“The initial observation we made was a recurring utilization of racial and ethnic generalizations in real classroom tasks,” stated Robinson.
While Robinson and his wife Kelly were discussing their concerns about the school, they specifically did not provide any details to CNN, emphasizing the need for more information.
CNN informed Kelly Robinson that the manner in which they addressed the situation and their choice to not directly address the real problem but instead took revenge on both us and our children.
“Students from diverse backgrounds and marginalized students of the School have filed a civil lawsuit on Monday, alleging unfair treatment, raising concerns, and being negatively impacted by the School’s actions that were deemed impermissible. Their attorney, Kim Motley, along with the couple, filed the lawsuit in part to address allegations of retaliation and attempts to silence them.”
The Robinsons currently seek a jury trial consisting of a panel of individuals chosen to render a verdict and be compensated for the damages incurred.
“Deprived our teachers and administrators of the physically and emotionally safe environment,” said the Robinsons, but the school has denied the allegations.
The head of Steven Hancock School sent a letter to the Robinsons, dated June 2021, stating that teachers and administrators had reached a decision on how to deal with the situation.
You have not consistently demonstrated respect for the Robinsons when addressing their letter. You have also repeatedly engaged in demanding and disrespectful communications with our administrators and teachers, showing neither kind nor fair manner, trustworthiness, nor professionalism and expertise.
In response to the lawsuit, the school released a statement saying that it could not comment on the specifics of the case, but it expressed that it had nothing to do with the discrimination or inequity of complaints regarding enrollment at USM.
The statement continued, “We will not tolerate and cannot accept persistently disrespectful behavior such as harassing or bullying from administrators and teachers who are supposed to be hardworking and devoted.”
After the airing of reports on CNN and other news channels, Hancock released an extra statement to the University School of Milwaukee community.
Hancock stated, “Regarding the actions of the parents, it is necessary to emphasize that enrolling in a family school is the last resort option in this particular situation. The media has spread misinformation about this family, as well as the allegations made against the family in the lawsuit. USM is fully prepared to vigorously defend itself against these allegations.”
During their interview with CNN, the Robinsons refuted the portrayal of their conduct.
In a matter-of-fact manner, Craig Robinson said, “We were just giving ideas, like we’re talking to you,” referring to the neutral tone of the first news release. He described their statement as astonishing, revealing it as such.
“Kelly Robinson remarked,” We were taken by surprise. It was indicated that what we were doing and the way in which we were communicating was out of the ordinary.”
The Robinsons, in the second statement of the school, said that the fifth graders were given three worksheets last year that “mischaracterized” their concerns very seriously.
“In the end, we did not discover the substance to be worrisome, and communicated this information directly with the family,” he stated.
CNN has contacted the representative of the Robinsons’ for further comment.
The termination of enrollment letter did not mention any reasoning behind the behavior of the children. They were described as students who embody a “graduate-like” portrait of USM.
CNN informed Kelly Robinson, who started to shed tears, that “Our children have endured the main impact of this situation.” She expressed, “They have overheard individuals discussing how they must have committed a grave error, which is completely inaccurate.”
He said that he was afraid of getting into trouble because he didn’t tell us until the third time, but recently he dealt with an issue of racism in his new school and tearfully recounted how it affected one of his friends.
‘This wasn’t just about us’
The Robinsons stated that one of the reasons for their decision to pursue legal action is because they have received accounts from others who have undergone comparable situations.
Allegations have been made that USM has engaged in a “broader pattern, extending over many years,” of unjust treatment and lack of empathy towards its students from diverse racial backgrounds and underrepresented students. These claims also include accusations of “unjust and retaliatory behavior” towards the children of the Robinsons, as stated in the lawsuit.
For example, a lawsuit alleges that an abandoned underground railroad simulation has been used to teach fourth-grade students for years in a teaching style required by the school.
Part of the lawsuit stated that students were instructed to traverse dim corridors and classrooms, while members of the USM staff generated sounds that brought about the sensation of whips, chains, and the thundering gallop of horses, all in an effort to enhance the realism and intensity of the experience. Faculty members from USM assumed the role of ‘slave catchers’ and were given instructions to attempt to capture the students. Teachers from USM instructed fourth grade students to either wear worn-out garments or acquire second-hand clothing from thrift stores.
Hancock referred to the allegations made in the lawsuit as “entirely incorrect” and stated that the simulation occurred a decade ago.
Hancock stated, “The importance of Wisconsin’s Underground Railroad in helping enslaved people travel to Canada and the instrumental role it played in subsequent classroom lessons was focused on.” In the 4th grade, students where parent volunteers and teachers served in the roles of Underground Railroad conductors, providing guidance on the safe routes to the next ‘safe place’ stations.
“An online call to action is circulating among a group of former and current students of the University of Milwaukee School of Leadership, as well as parents, labeling it as a school that promotes bias and insensitivity towards cultural diversity.”
Over 200 graduates, guardians, and even pupils are recorded as having endorsed the document.