Turpin High School student addresses Congressional subcommittee about Diversity Day cancelation

Just one day after a student walkout at Turpin High School regarding Diversity Day's cancelation, a senior appeared in front of a Congressional subcommittee to discuss their experiences.

Claire Mengel addressed the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in Washington, D.C., Thursday. The hearing addressed "the ongoing efforts to prohibit discussion in K-12 classrooms about American history, race, and LGBTQ+ issues, and to punish teachers who violate vague and discriminatory state laws by discussing these topics."

For several years, Diversity Day has been held in Turpin's Forest Hills School District — which is 90% white — to highlight cultural and racial issues for junior and senior students. But earlier this month, the FHSD school board voted 4-0 to put the event on hold, stating that the event would no longer happen during school hours, use school resources or be paid for by taxpayers. Then, the school district announced its cancelation.