America's public school system seems to have a vendetta against their teachers, or something. In the industrialized world, we pay our educators some of the lowest wages out there.
Couple that with the fact that many teachers end up paying for classroom materials out of their own pockets to appropriately educate their students, and a teacher's bottom-line is looking pretty darn grim.
American teacher salaries are low compared to those in modest-paying countries like Finland https://t.co/S5IVo185zw pic.twitter.com/OSwl4VhQGo
— Brookings Brown Center (@BrookingsEd) June 22, 2016
So I understand this teacher who had some choice words for a superintendent during a school board meeting, demanding to know why he received a $38,000 raise, while they felt that most of the school's staff were still underpaid.
Louisiana teacher, Deyshia Hargrave at Vermillion Parish School was thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and escorted from the meeting after letting Superintendent Jerome Puyau.
"I have a serious issue with a superintendent or any person of leadership getting any type of raise. I feel like it’s a slap in the face to all the teachers, cafeteria workers and any other support staff we have. We work very hard, with very little, to maintain the salaries we have."
Puyau's raise was based on the school meeting "performance goals" and incentive that was earned by teachers who put in the work instructing the students, as Hargrave pointed out.
As Hargrave made her comments, KATC reported that a school board member ruled her as "out of order." Shortly after, an Abbeville city marshal asked her to step out of the room, but it's unknown whether he was instructed by the school board to do so.
People on Twitter were shocked by the treatment Hargrave received.
Woah: A teacher in Vermillion Parish was handcuffed & arrested after questioning a pay raise for superintendent #Louisianahttps://t.co/MYV8YIF7rg
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) January 9, 2018
People called the act "unacceptable."
Unacceptable. We must stand against the silencing of teachers across the country-- they have valid complaints and must be heard. #Education #JustAskJenny https://t.co/eW2LWRGeEj
— Marshall 4 House (@Marshall4House) January 9, 2018
While others believe this is a clear cut example of being punished for questioning an authority figure.
Vermilion Parish teacher arrested for asking about superintendants raise. Vermillion Parish says they are not pressing charges. Arrested for questioning authority? Welcome to 2018. #vermilion https://t.co/Ax2kBSSyTu
— marty (@howittworks) January 9, 2018
Even Law Enforcement advocates thought Hargrave's extrication was excessive.
I am a strong supporter of law enforcement, but I believe the Vermillion Parish Marshal's office overstep their bounds in this instance
— Southern Justice (@DarryDekens1) January 9, 2018
Teacher who was removed from Vermilion school board meeting in handcuffs booked into jail https://t.co/vz2fUM03fF
People are already calling for Puyau's removal, calling the superintendent a "disgrace" to their state.
Jerome Puyau,the Vermillion Parish Superintendent of Schools,if you are reading this,I demand your resignation as superintendent for having a school teacher arrested for calling out your corruption. You are a disgrace to the state of Louisiana.
— RegularJoe (@RegularJoe1970) January 9, 2018
We need justice for Deyshia Hargrave and those corrupt "good ole boys" need the boot! #Vermillion https://t.co/hTO94te5Jv
— Erica Webb (@LetsGoKnights) January 9, 2018
The most unsettling aspect of the entire ordeal was how calm and collected Hargrave was as she gave her comments. People didn't think she was out of line at all.
Can’t believe this teacher was actually arrested. She was polite. Professional. Asked questions with passion with no answers. #Vermillion school board watch full video. Louisiana ...
— Julia Seattle (@Juliane_Seattle) January 9, 2018
😖 BOARD raises salary of superintendent - WHY? https://t.co/Cnc8jk8usc via @youtube
Twitter users are encouraging Hargrave to sue and after watching the video footage:
Story: Louisiana teacher to sue the pants off of the Vermillion Parish (Louisiana) School Board for unwarranted, abusive arrest. #Teacher #teaching
— Greg Powers (@gspowers) January 9, 2018
Other people are calling the act a result of "The Trump Effect."
A middle school teacher told to "stop resisting", pushed to the floor and handcuffed after questioning the salary of her boss. The trump effect.https://t.co/44S9UgscNx
— 🛆 (@hyperbranch) January 9, 2018
So much for free speech in the time of @realdonaldtrump
— Larry F'n Wilson! (@LarryWilson) January 9, 2018
Teacher handcuffed after speaking out about pay at Vermillion schools meeting https://t.co/aCl8sJBVv2 via @cbsnews
For the most part, however, people were just in shock.
I have no words after watching what happed to the teacher in Vermillion parish.
— sammlamm (@sammlamm94) January 9, 2018
Here's the entire 12-minute clip so you can see for yourself.
What do you think?