Winthrop will hire prof who threatened to expose 'White K-12' teachers who express 'pro-police' rhetoric

Winthrop University moved forward with hiring a professor after an investigation of her threatening to expose teachers who expressed “pro-police” sentiments on social media.
 
As reported by Campus Reform in June, April Mustian, an incoming education professor, warned “White K-12” teachers that they should think carefully about their Facebook posts.

“If you are a White K-12 teacher who teaches Black children and you are on your (Facebook) 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 also supposed to love and serve,” wrote Mustian in her now-deleted social media post.

She then seemingly threatened to send those “pro-police” posts to their bosses.

“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,” said Mustian. “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.”

The university launched an investigation to determine whether to move forward with Mustian’s new employment. Now, according to The Post and Courier, the university has announced that after the probe, it will move forward with her employment and allow her to teach. 

“We have moved forward and she’s on board and hopefully getting settled,” said Glenn McCall, the president of Winthrop’s Board of Trustees.

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A petition entitled “Do Not Fire Dr. Mustian!” circulated on social media and gained more than 2,000 signatures.

“Dr. Mustian’s statement was not harmful or racist in any way,” asserted the petition. “It is appalling that people are against her using her platform to voice her support for our African American children… We should not support racism, especially in the classroom, and we should not tolerate people who have these racist beliefs to teach children.”

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Similarly, Winthrop University community members took to social media in their defense of Mustian.

Mustian “is an ADVOCATE for BLM and people are trying to get WU to fire her for her post about reporting racist educators,” tweeted one alumna.

“April Mustian… Protect her at all cost,” read another tweet, which included a picture of Mustian wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @BenZeisloft