Social media post about ‘brainwashing’ Alberta school trustee shows Nazi flags and pride
WARNING: This story contains images that may be disturbing.
A social media post by a Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools school trustee prompted a statement from the school board on Friday along with calls for her resignation.
A recent story shared online from a social media account owned by Monique LaGrange included an old black and white photo of smiling children leaning out of a window waving Nazi flags with swastikas on them.
A more modern photo just below shows young children in a cla*sroom waving homemade Pride rainbow flags.
The caption reads: “Brainwashing is brainwashing. »
The post was later deleted.
A recent story shared online from Monique LaGrange’s account included an old black and white photo of smiling children leaning out of windows waving Nazi flags with swastikas on them. A more modern photo just below shows young children in a cla*sroom holding up homemade items. Pride rainbow flags. The caption reads: “Brainwashing is brainwashing. “.
Provided to PKBNEWS
In a statement to PKBNEWS, the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Board of Trustees (RDCRS) said the story shared by Councilor Monique LaGrange “does not align with the principles and values that guide our division, and the Councilor LaGrange does not speak for the board.
“Our division is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful and caring learning environments for all members of our schools and our community.
“We deeply regret any distress these comments may have caused.
“In response to this matter, we immediately implemented our fiduciary code of conduct. According to the code, problems can be resolved through a conciliatory approach if all parties agree. In this case, administrator LaGrange removed the social media post from his Facebook page, as requested by the board.
PKBNEWS has contacted Monique LaGrange for comment. This article will be updated if/when we receive a response.
PKBNEWS has also contacted Alberta Education and the Alberta School Boards Association.
Kristopher Wells, Canada Research Chair in Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and Associate Professor at MacEwan University, said he was very disappointed with the social media post.
“Frankly, I am disgusted to know that such horrible comparisons are being made in 2023.
“It’s even worse that this is coming from someone in a position of leadership, as an elected official, and someone working to protect and support the children in our school system,” Wells said.
“This is unacceptable and I believe that not only should this administrator resign immediately, but that the RCMP should investigate this incident as a hate incident, and I would call on the Minister of Education to launch an investigation as well.
“We can’t leave 2SLGBTQ kids in our school system wondering if they’re in a safe environment or not.
Wells said there has been an increase in hate incidents targeting members of the 2SLGBTQ community across Canada and that this type of rhetoric contributes to hate and discrimination.
He wants action to be taken quickly.
“In a situation like this where you compare the 2SLGBTQ community to Nazi propaganda and Nazi Party atrocities, an apology is badly needed.
“Imagine if that same comparison was aimed at Jewish, black or other minority communities in our society? There would be – and rightly so – widespread outrage. But somehow, we’re here in Alberta, where the public and elected officials feel it’s appropriate,” Wells said.
“We must say loud and clear that hate has no place…but that its perpetrators will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” »
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