A Texas teacher who posted a racially-charged tweet regarding the fatal shooting of Ferguson, Mo. teenager Michael Brown Jr. at the hands of a white police officer has been placed on administrative leave without pay.
School officials from the Duncanville Independent School District are now investigating Vinita Hegwood, promising a “swift action” response to the tweet where Hegwood told white people who didn’t agree with her opinions to kill themselves.
On Friday night, a Twitter account belonging to Hegwood tweeted the following:
“Who the (expletive) made you dumb duck (expletive) crackers think I give a squat (expletive) about your opinions about my opinions RE: Ferguson? Kill yourselves.”
Hegwood’s account has since been shut down, but screenshots of her tweet are being passed around the internet.
It was not immediately clear if there was a tweet aimed directly at her that prompted the response. A man identified as Hegwood’s husband told reporters there was more to the story, however.
The school district released this statement regarding the tweet on Sunday:
“As an individual, Ms. Vinita Hegwood expressed an opinion on social media that is solely her own. She used her personal social media account to make remarks that are offensive. While everyone has the right to free speech, as a teacher in the district, we believe the comments that are alleged to be made by Ms. Hegwood are absolutely reprehensible and we do not condone it.
The district is taking swift action in this matter within the authority set forth by district policy. Duncanville ISD embraces diversity and is not defined by the personal opinion of one.”
An investigation continues.
SOURCE: USA Today | VIDEO SOURCE: News Inc. | PHOTO CREDIT: Screenshot
