Incoming professor April Mustian will not have her job offer rescinded by Winthrop University, following an investigation regarding a controversial Facebook post Mustian made in June.
“If you are a White K-12 teacher who teaches Black children, and you are on your FB posting pro-police anti-Black rhetoric, I hope and pray those are posts and beliefs you are willing to stand by in front of the Black families you are supposed to love and serve,” Mustian wrote. “I hope those are posts you are willing to stand by when district personnel get screenshots of your ignorance.
“This is a new day, folks. People are getting fired for being racist on social media. Don’t think you are above reproach, especially in this day and age when opportunities to unlearn racism and bias are at your fingertips. And, if your first thought is to delete me because of this post, chances are I already have some screenshots,” she wrote.
The post was met with much criticism, including calls on Winthrop to retract her job offer.
Young America’s Foundation, a conservative youth advocacy and news site, ran an editorial about Mustian’s comments.
“Threatening to dox or attempt to get someone fired simply for supporting brave law enforcement is simply immature and ignorant,” author Kara Zupkus wrote.
Following calls to retract her job offer, Winthrop released a statement on Aug. 3 saying that there would be an investigation into Mustian’s comments and that the school was working with “internal personnel and legal counsel.”
“Please know we are pursuing this matter diligently and cannot allow the University to be swayed into hasty and inappropriate action,” Winthrop’s statement read.
“In the meantime, we want to be clear that we assertively affirm that Winthrop University respects, supports, and appreciates all law enforcement officers including those on our campus and those in the local community, our state, and the nation. This high level of regard extends to other first responders as well.”
Following this statement, many Winthrop students and alumni were upset at the decision to investigate Mustian.
Two petitions were created in support of Mustian, gathering more than 2,400 signatures.
“Her expression that teachers should care about the livelihood of all their students, particularly African American students, is a statement that has shockingly resulted in anger from many people. Dr. Mustian’s statement was not harmful or racist in any way,” the petition created by social work major Santasia Myers stated.
Several students and alumni took to social media to voice their disapproval of the situation.
Jalisa Byas, class of 2014, wrote that she was “disappointed in this response” from the school.
“I valued how diverse the campus was from faculty to student body. I was very active in the Winthrop community and never felt diminished anyway. This response is not reflective of the inclusive university I am proud of. Very disappointed,” Byas wrote.
Others were upset with the way the statement voiced support of members of law enforcement but failed to offer support of Black students, faculty and staff.
“I think you forgot to mention your respect, support, and appreciation for your black scholars, faculty and staff. This statement does not reflect the diversity and inclusion that Winthrop actively promotes. Practice what you preach,” Courtney McLeod, class of 2018, wrote.
Mustian did not have her position rescinded and will be teaching in the upcoming fall semester. The Johnsonian reached out to Mustian for comment but did not receive a response.
Graphic by Lizzy Talbert
