Salem Community Reacts Strongly to Request for Black Students to Portray Enslaved People at City Celebration

A nonprofit organization based in South Jersey has indefinitely suspended its executive director following a controversial request directed at a local school. Betsy McBride, the leader of Stand Up for Salem, faced significant backlash after she asked Salem Middle School to allow Black students to participate in a reenactment that would depict slavery as part of the city’s 350th anniversary celebrations.

The board of Stand Up for Salem, which focuses on community engagement, has initiated a formal investigation into this incident. Tom Smith, the board president, expressed deep regret over the situation, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to community sensitivity and respect. As events unfolded, it was confirmed that McBride has been suspended with pay while the investigation proceeds.

Initial plans for the anniversary celebrations, scheduled for October 4, included a portrayal of an enslaved woman who ultimately became an abolitionist, with the aim of highlighting the complex history of the area. However, the proposal to involve students in a reenactment focusing on slavery prompted an immediate and intense reaction from residents and community leaders alike.

After learning of the request, Principal Pascale E. DeVilmé of Salem Middle School reportedly left a meeting with McBride without commenting. Following the meeting, McBride sent an apology email, stating that her intentions were to present a historical perspective. She acknowledged that her suggestion was offensive, linking her lack of sensitivity to issues of privilege.

In response to the uproar, Nelson Carney Jr., president of the Salem County NAACP, reported that numerous complaints had been received from community members, many of whom called for McBride’s permanent removal. He described the notion of involving schoolchildren in a slavery reenactment as deeply troubling and unacceptable.

Smith clarified that the controversial proposal was never part of the planning process and that the board had no prior knowledge of McBride’s intentions. He subsequently issued an apology to Salem School Superintendent Carol L. Kelley, labeling the suggestion as “inappropriate and insensitive.”

In a statement, Kelley expressed her dismay at the suggestion made for students to portray enslaved individuals. She reiterated that the school district would not support any activities deemed demeaning or harmful.

The mayor of Salem, Jody Veler, hopes that this incident will encourage Stand Up for Salem to focus on diversity and implicit bias training within its organization. Smith indicated he would step into the interim role of executive director, as McBride had been slated for retirement in December after nearly three years in her position.

This episode reflects broader societal conversations regarding representation, sensitivity, and the portrayal of historical events in public commemorations. As the investigation continues, the local community remains on alert, concerned about the implications for future initiatives and the healing of community trust.