I first heard about this story on the Michael Baisden radio show a day ago but I was too busy doing research on the Alvin Greene story. Michael Baisden is a "friend" of mine on Facebook and I just happened to be reading the status updates when this story came up again. I had to say... "Wow!" Then, I had to say... "What the hell?" I haven't written anything for my recurring bad and bizzare behavior post recently. Here is more fuel for it...
When Jaretta Hamilton made the request for maternity leave, she was asked by her boss when the child was actually conceived. When she told her boss the date, he fired her because it was several weeks before she was actually married. He then told the entire staff of the school and called the parents of all the students in the class about why she was fired.
Now, first off... Keith or any member of my family might have had some choice words for this school principal for even asking a personal question like that. It was really none of his business and it had nothing to do with a request for maternity leave. And, if it was none of his business when the baby was conceived, then it was certainly not the business of the staff or any of the parents of children in the school. The woman was married now and the child, would not be born out of wedlock. Whether it would have been or not is no reason for a person to be fired or to have her privacy violated.
This was not very Christ-like on behalf of the School Principal, John Ennis. It's more what I would call "bitch like" behavior for a man... any man. Let's look into his past and see what size shoe is parked underneath his pious covers. Naturally, of course, Principal Ennis declined to talk to the press, citing a lawsuit filed by Hamilton against the school. But, in a pre-recorded report filed by Mike Taibbi of NBC News, Ennis was asked if he stood by the firing. “Yes, absolutely,” he replied.
Jaretta Hamilton is now suing because there was no conduct policy regarding out-of-wedlock sex. Contrary to popular opinion, an African American woman meets someone, falls in love, actually gets married, and is now punished for it. Sisters can't win for losing sometimes, can they?
When Jaretta Hamilton made the request for maternity leave, she was asked by her boss when the child was actually conceived. When she told her boss the date, he fired her because it was several weeks before she was actually married. He then told the entire staff of the school and called the parents of all the students in the class about why she was fired.
Now, first off... Keith or any member of my family might have had some choice words for this school principal for even asking a personal question like that. It was really none of his business and it had nothing to do with a request for maternity leave. And, if it was none of his business when the baby was conceived, then it was certainly not the business of the staff or any of the parents of children in the school. The woman was married now and the child, would not be born out of wedlock. Whether it would have been or not is no reason for a person to be fired or to have her privacy violated.
This was not very Christ-like on behalf of the School Principal, John Ennis. It's more what I would call "bitch like" behavior for a man... any man. Let's look into his past and see what size shoe is parked underneath his pious covers. Naturally, of course, Principal Ennis declined to talk to the press, citing a lawsuit filed by Hamilton against the school. But, in a pre-recorded report filed by Mike Taibbi of NBC News, Ennis was asked if he stood by the firing. “Yes, absolutely,” he replied.
Jaretta Hamilton is now suing because there was no conduct policy regarding out-of-wedlock sex. Contrary to popular opinion, an African American woman meets someone, falls in love, actually gets married, and is now punished for it. Sisters can't win for losing sometimes, can they?
17 comments:
Sorry cousin, I must disagree! Dismissal was the right action. Ms. Hamilton worked for a Christian School which promotes Christian values, among which is the admonition against premarital sex. I don't think an adult should model behavior that is directly opposite of their spoken commitment. Christian teachers need to model Christian behavior. Ms. Hamilton could have taught at any school, but teaching at a Christian school requires she follow a different set of rules. The principal did what needed to be done and should stand by his decision.
Cousin you are right that we would have had strong words for Dr. Ackerman and the School District of Phila. if this had happened at Dunlap School, but what could we have said to Dr. Bronson if this had happened at Sanctuary Christian Academy?? Are we to put our values away and accept this teacher's moral code in deference to Christ's?
And...careful who you listen to and call your "friend." We'll have to talk about your word choice of "bitch like" to describe this situation.
Very interesting story. Even though she was working at a "Christian" School, didn't God tell us that we should not judge?
As awoman, I wouldn't have answered that question. Keith I agree...It was nobody's business when the baby was conceived..
If he felt free enough to ask when the baby was conceived, then what was to stop him from asking what position were they doing it in or what was she wearing when she and her husband had sex...How ridiculous and intrusive.
I would have told him, none of his
!@#$%^&* business and then quit.
She was working at a "Christian" school and they did have rules..rules which she knew when she started....I do however agree that that was a very intrusive question.
I'm sorry, He couldn't have asked me that question and I have kept my cool..I would have lost it.
It's "Christians" like Ennis that drive people away from church with their holier than thou personage.
What a pious and intrusive a-hole...I wouldn't have answered that question. She's right to sue..I hope she wins.
I wonder if Principal Ennis has asked any other women who have requested maternity leave such a question?
This whole thing was just crazy!
While I agree the question was personal and intrusive..It all came with working at that type of institution...She had to know what she was getting into when she agreed to work there.
Never has one of your blog posts been so hotly debated friend...Good job..LOL!
I heard about this story the other day and from what I understand, part of her contract states that she must abide by Christian values. However, I wonder what prompted the principal to ask in the first place. Is it customary to ask a woman when she was married, given that she was single when she started the position? Hmmm. It appears to me, there might be some other underlying reason as to why she was targeted in this manner.
Even if I were to agree that he was within his rights to fire her, I don't feel he was within his rights to broadcast the underlying reasons to other teachers and parents.
I'm not too sure why this concept is so difficult to understand: When there are codes of conduct, moral clauses, etc. in contracts of ANY kind, the people that make you sign them are NOT playing around and they are to be taken SERIOUSLY! If you can't honor what is in the document, don't sign on the dotted line! However, disclosing her personal business to other teachers and parents was an unnecessary invasion of her privacy, and unless she "signed off" on that too in the contract, there is NO justification for why that happened. It is good that you all care enough to speak up for her at this time... she is lucky. Some of us have no one who cares enough to even do that much.
Keith, i didn't hear of this story until i read it here and i was appalled. Surely from what i read and the comments this man is passing judgement based upon his on religious beliefs which will lead him into some serious dangerous matters. I don't think she should have been fired and wish her and her family well on the lawsuit.
Self-righteousness at its best...
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