Press Releases
CAIR-Houston Calls on Cy-Fairbanks ISD Trustee Scott Henry to Resign for Racist Remarks Targeting Black Teachers
(HOUSTON, TX, 1/13/2022) — The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) today called on Cypress-Fairbanks board of trustees member Scott Henry to resign after he made racist and inflammatory remarks targeting Black teachers and the Houston Independent School District.
In a board meeting on Monday, Henry questioned the need for more Black teachers and seemed to link Black educators to high drop-out rates in the district.
He stated: “Cy-Fair has what? 13% black teachers?” “Houston ISD is 36%. Their dropout rate is 4%. I don’t want to be 4%. I don’t want to be HISD. I want to be a shining example. I want to be the district standard.”
The trustee’s comments come at a time when teachers face uncertainty as the omicron variant spreads through Harris County, and teachers are facing uncertainty as their curriculum becomes increasingly politicized.
SEE: Cy-Fair ISD school board member blames Black teachers for HISD student drop-out rates
Cy-Fair ISD board member faces calls to resign after comments about Black teachers, dropout rates
In a statement, CAIR-Houston Director of Operations William White said:
“We call on trustee Henry to resign and issue an apology. Should he fail to do so, we demand the Cy-Fair ISD Board of Trustees removes trustee Henry from his position.
“Our teachers, faculty, students, and community deserve better than what trustee Henry has to offer, and we hope this racist and nonsensical statement can be met with reconciliation.”
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director of Operations William White, w-white@cair.com 713-838-2247, CAIR-Houston President and Chairman of Board of Directors John Floyd, Attorney, jfloyd@cair.com, (713) 224-0101
