Two Boston Schools Officials Resign After Anti-White Racist Texts Leak

 

Two Boston school Committee members, including Chair Alexandra Oliver-Davila, have resigned after anti-white racist texts leaked online.

The texts, sent in 2020, were about how she was sick of white parents of students in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

Chair Oliver-Davila resigned on Tuesday, and Member Lorna Rivera – a professor at UMass-Boston – resigned on June 4.

The exchange included the two women saying that they’re sick of “Westie whites.”

“Best school committee meeting ever,” Oliver-Dávila texted to Rivera, adding, “I’m trying not to cry,” because of what the Globe called “the outpouring of support” for a proposal to eliminate the requirement of standardized testing for admission to the city’s schools.

“Wait until the white racists start yelling at us,” Rivera replied.

Oliver-Dávila responded by saying, “Whatever. They’re delusional.” Later texting, “I hate WR,” referring to West Roxbury, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Boston.

“Sick of Westie whites,” Rivera texted back.

“Me too. I really feel like saying that,” Oliver-Dávila agreed.

Acting Mayor Kim Janey said she respected their decisions to resign, but made excuses for their racism against white people.

“I respect and support the decisions of Alexandra Oliver-Davila and Dr. Lorna Rivera to resign as members of the Boston School Committee,” she said. “Ms. Oliver-Davila and Dr. Rivera have been dedicated stewards of the committee and passionate advocates for Boston families. Their private remarks, which were recently made public, were unfortunate and unfairly disparaged members of the Boston Public Schools community. As women of color who advocate for racial equity in our schools, I also understand their comments were made in the wake of death threats and unacceptable racist attacks that were frightening, offensive, and painful. As their time on the school committee ends, their work to lift up equity in Boston Public Schools must continue.

“The shared experience of Ms. Oliver-Davila and Dr. Rivera, and their decision to step down, amplifies the need for meaningful dialog and important work we must do as a city to address racism,” she continued. “Sadly, their departure also leaves a void in Latina leadership on our school committee that I am determined to address.”