The principal has been placed on leave. She first sent a notice to parents calling the symbol an act of hate but then sent another message to parents trying to be inclusive because the symbol appears in some eastern cultures. Big mistake.
Jason Rantz reports at KTTH Radio:
Rantz: Bellevue elementary school principal defends swastika in email to students, parentsIf you’re wondering why antisemitism is spreading so virulently in area schools, look to Phantom Lake Elementary in Bellevue where a principal defended the swastika as “a symbol of peace.”The Bellevue School District has seen a rise in antisemitism since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel. Hamas-sympathizing students have targeted Jewish classmates, chanting “Gas the Jews.” At Phantom Lake Elementary, someone tagged the west wall on campus with a swastika. Principal Heather Snookal sent an email to parents addressing the incident but then followed up with an email to defend swastikas as not inherently hateful, indicating it’s sometimes appropriate to display.“While the symbol is often associated with hate and intolerance due to its use during World War II, it is important to acknowledge that the swastika has deep historical and cultural significance in other parts of the world,” Snookal wrote. “I apologize that I didn’t acknowledge this in my previous communication.”Snookal went on to say the swastika “is a symbol of peace, prosperity and good fortune” in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other cultures.“As a school committed to inclusivity and cultural understanding, we want to ensure that our students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued and celebrated. We also want to make sure our community is educated about the diverse meanings and histories behind symbols like the swastika so that we can all avoid misunderstandings that could inadvertently marginalize or hurt our students,” she continued.
Here’s a video report:
Featured image via YouTube.
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