Catholic school board trustee Wendy Ashby has resigned from the board, saying she doesn't want the controversy surrounding her social media posts to continue to distract trustees from the "important work that is being done to further diversity, equity and inclusion at the Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board."
The Kitchener trustee made the announcement in a statement issued Sunday night following weeks of intense scrutiny over statements she posted to her personal Twitter account aimed at White Christians.
“The most dangerous creature on the planet is the White Christian male. They’re a Threat to anyone who is not them,” one tweet read.
The tweet was accompanied by several hashtags referencing misogyny and white entitlement.
Another post referenced white Christian women.
“Hush money. Buying silence about being underpaid. White women make obedient soldiers for the christofacist patriarchy,” it said.
The tweets, and trustee Ashby's account, were deleted soon after they were brought to the attention of media and the board by some parents. Parents As First Educators and the Campaign Life Coalition launched online petitions demanding her resignation.
The controversy soon caught the attention of Rebel News show host David Menzies who appeared as an unregistered delegate at one board meeting, demanding trustees take action to remove Ashby. That was before board chair Tracy Weiler asked for his removal and called a recess. Menzies showed up at the next meeting with a digital billboard on the side of a truck to join protesters outside the Kitchener education centre.
In her statement, Ashby calls those protests an "outrageous rage baiting campaign" orchestrated by "outside interest groups," and she admonished those involved.
She said she will continue to support Catholic education and the progress within the board to advance the interests of equity, diversity and inclusion.
"Diverse voices, when elected, come with truth and history. Expecting these voices to assimilate because the historical truth they challenge makes some uncomfortable is something that should be reflected on. There is no easy way to have these tough conversations.
"The outrageous rage baiting campaign that has been playing out illustrates the exact kind of harassment and online bullying that so many kids experience.
"What is even more troubling is that this behaviour is coming from adults," she wrote.
"Most are from outside interest groups who have their own agenda This noise distracts from the important work that is being done to further diversity equity and inclusion at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
"The willingness of this board to lead in these areas is why I chose to be a part of this in the first place and why I so strongly support Catholic Education.
"I have been encouraged to continue the internal process and remain in my duly elected seat by so many. I appreciate the support, it was overwhelming, and I know that most understand the historical context to which I was referring.
"However, I have decided to vacate my seat at this time, so that we can all return our focus back on the important work that we have dedicated ourselves to doing. I stand, as always with our Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
"Particularly with transgender and nonbinary folks at this time of great uncertainty and fear. I will be continuing my advocacy in a capacity where I will be able to challenge tough issues and bring lasting change in a way that is positive and meaningful. I hope that one day advocacy for these groups will no longer be considered an act of bravery."
