I am outraged about the unfortunate situation that recently occurred during Mount Si High School’s MLK assembly. It is shocking that Ken Hutcherson, a man who is notorious for his anti-gay, religion-based activism, was invited to speak at a public school assembly about civil rights. Most disturbing is that Randy Taylor, the principal at Mount Si, did not recognize that by endorsing a man who very publicly advocates against equal rights for all, he has jeopardized the safety of some of his students.

It is a principal’s job to keep all students safe. The Snoqualmie Valley School District’s “Characteristics of a Safe School” statement reads, “Our schools shall communicate to students and the greater community that all children are valued and respected.” Mr. Taylor’s decision to allow Dr. Hutcherson to speak contradicts this statement. The gay students at Mount Si, as well as those who believe in equal rights for all people, were devalued and disrespected by this speaker.

The fact that he is an African-American man who grew up facing racial discrimination is not enough to qualify him as being an appropriate speaker at a public school’s MLK assembly. The administration at Mount Si owes its students an apology.

Meagan Elliot

Duvall