Your response to my letter and to the information you have received from The Hitting Stops Here! and Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education concerning the gross and flagrant abuse taking place at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences is nothing short of alarming and unacceptable. As Legal Council for the Tennessee Department of Education surely you can do more than cite a law and point me to someone else.
Furthermore, the law that you cited states, “…(A)ny teacher or school principal may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner…” The brutal manner, in which Mr. Weathers beats the boys and the hands of the girls in his care, is hardly done in a “reasonable manner.” We have informed you and other school officials, as well as the administrators governing MAHS, of the following:
Boys receive four to eleven forceful blows to their buttocks during Friday Chapel. As you recall, Chapel is MAHS public view beating event similar to the public beatings done during slavery days. Each boy is beaten after Mr. Weathers pulls on their pants at the waist line to look inside assuring that all they have on are underwear. (This particular act of looking inside their pants is sexual harassment and a violation of Title IX.)
Mr. Weathers then hoists the back of their pants into their buttocks causing what is commonly known as a “wedgy.” At this point, the boys are not only in pain at their rear end but their scrotum is under severe pressure and pain. Once he has the boys rendered into submission in this most painful way, Principal Weathers begins striking their buttocks with a wooden board which he fondly calls, The Terminator.
Chapel is not the only time when boys are beaten in this manner. Some have reported that they are paddled a minimum of three days a week, every week, and have been since the beginning of the school year.
Mr. Weathers is known for calling students over in the hall and paddling them without giving reason. When asked the purpose of the beating by the student, his response has been, “I don’t have to answer you or negotiate with you.” Parents have reported that they never received calls nor written reports regarding any of the beatings their children received throughout the school year.
Mr Weathers uses a leather strap to beat the hands of the girls, not only during Chapel but randomly during any school day. They are struck10 times on their hands with a leather strap. If they move their hand away out of fear and pain before the tenth blow, the count begins again. When girls cry during the process, they are told by Mr. Weathers, “Let’s just get this over with.” This brutal attack causes premature osteoarthritis and will limit them from careers that call for manual dexterity and sensitivity
Students have reported that the PE coach goes into classrooms and beats each student in front of the room, striking them at least four times. Then he goes to the next room and does the same. The crying that he causes the little 11 and 12 year olds does not stop his sadistic and out f control behavior.
Reasonable manner? Would any responsible adult accept these brutal beatings as reasonable? If done to our president’s children, it would become an issue of National Security.
You also said in your letter, “…Any effort to prohibit the practice of corporal punishment in an individual Tennessee public school or statewide could only be accomplished through legislative action…” Indeed, this information is correct. Governor Bredesen is on a legislative level and can therefore take action! He need only cease funding the schools where beating children is still permitted, beginning immediately, and it’s all over. Every U S governor has this power.
You offered me the following advice in your letter: “ However, if you suspect that a child is being abused by a school official or any other individual, please report it to the Department of Children's Services (DCS). DCS is the state agency with the authority to investigate and take action on matters of child abuse. Here is the DCS website for reporting suspected child abuse: http://reportabuse.state.tn.us/...,” We have already gone to the Department of Children’s Services. After receiving no response from them we went to the Memphis Tennessee Police Department on April 3. We were told by the Lieutenant that they could do nothing about this problem. After nearly an hour of negotiating with him, he decided to submit our report to the Department of Children’s Services, doing so right then. Now the Department of Children’s Services has two reports from us, neither of which has gained any attention.
We contacted Governor Bredesen right after the March 17 WREG news report concerning the abuse at MAHS. We also contacted Mayor Willie Herenton, and Director of Memphis Charter Schools Eric Hilgendorf, MAHS President Bernal Smith, Principal Curtis Weathers, Chief of Police of Memphis Tennessee, the Department of Children’s Services, and your office, Legal Council for the Tennessee Department of Education. Governor Bredesen directed me to Commissioner Tim Webb saying that he will contact me. He has not. Eric Hilgendorf responded to one of our members by phone saying, “I am only interested in funding and grades.” Mr. Hilgendorf also redirected me to your office of Legal Council, and now you are directing me to the Department of Children Services.
Like slaves, these children, 100% Black American and from low income homes, have no where to turn for protection. The selfish and cowardly response given by each person of authority is a gross display of disrespect and lack of concern for this most vulnerable population of children.
We have requested counseling for the 15 year old girl who was raped while in custody of MAHS and have received no response. One has to wonder why the rapist, a former MAHS cafeteria worker, believed that he could remove the girl from school, rape her, and return her to school before the dismissal bell without being caught. We have announced to you and all the authorities that several students reported that Principal Weathers said before other students concerning this young lady, “She’ll just have to get over it!”
Recently, we have reason to believe that threats have been made on some of the parents who came forward to report the abuse at MAHS. At this time, they too are in need of the governor’s attention due to threats.
The Hitting Stops Here! and Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education are planning to hold a Demonstration outside of Governor Bredesen’s office. We feel that this may be the only way to gain attention and protection for the children attending this school and other schools where children are beaten in your state, such as those in Pulaski , TN , birthplace of the KKK. We will begin our Demonstration on Friday, May 15.
The children in your care are waiting for protection from the extraordinarily “unreasonable manner” in which they are corporally punished in your schools.
We, too, await your responsible attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 15, 2009
Dear Ms. Flowe:
The Department of Education is in receipt of your e-mail regarding the practice of corporal punishment at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences. The 1979 Tennessee General Assembly authorized corporal punishment in Tennessee pursuant Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4103 which provides “(A)ny teacher or school principal may use corporal punishment in a reasonable manner against any pupil for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools.” Additionally, Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4104 provides “(E)ach local board of education shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to implement and control any form of corporal punishment in the schools in its district.”
As you can see from the above referenced statutes, the use of corporal punishment in individual school districts, including public charter schools, is a matter of local school board policy. Any effort to prohibit the practice of corporal punishment in an individual Tennessee public school or statewide could only be accomplished through legislative action.
Because charter schools in Tennessee may develop their own discipline policies that may or may not be different from the chartering authority's policy, and the State Department of Education has no legal authority to intervene, the Department encourages you to continue working with the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences to resolve your concerns. You may also contact members of the Tennessee General Assembly to express your concerns about current law. However, If you suspect that a child is being abused by a school official or any other individual, please report it to the Department of Children's Services (DCS). DCS is the state agency with the authority to investigate and take action on matters of child abuse. Here is the DCS website for reporting suspected child abuse: http://reportabuse.state.tn.us/
Christy Ballard
General Counsel
Tennessee Department of Education
(615-741-2921
6615-532-2599
* christy.ballard@tn.gov
April 14, 2009
To Governor Bredesen,
I would like to call to your attention and to that of our supporters that on Saturday, April 11, 2009 , Our organization The Hitting Stops Here! and its members were threatened. The person who made the threat said, “… if members of your organization ‘return to demonstrate’ in front of Memphis Academy of Health Sciences again, …we will meet you in battle and will wipe the earth with you.”
We take such threats very seriously, thus, I have delivered this message to you, Governor Bredesen, as well as other Tennessee government officials, including the Chief of Police of Memphis. The irony is that while we will stop at nothing to protect the children from corporal punishment we ourselves are threatened. We appeal to you personally because we don’t want to take the chance of being left unprotected. We believe you are Governor of action. With your support we can bring this serious problem to an abrupt end. Without your support we feel we must mount a strong media campaign to bring appropriate attention.
If we do not receive a response from you concerning this threat, it will appear to us that we have been left unprotected and that this threat has gone unaddressed.
We are at this time preparing to demonstrate in front of your office soon and we need to know that we are acknowledged, protected, and respected. We are doing nothing more than working within the framework and goals of our campaign, that is, "...to teach kindness and respect in schools everywhere." Our intention is to advocate for the children in Tennessee until they are in safe schools no matter their race, age, or income.
It is urgent that you contact me.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 13, 2009
Dear Governor Bredesen,
Parents are flooding us with letters about different schools where teachers are behaving in the way in which Mr. Maurice Muhammad described in his letter,
“Why have you not gone to Pulaski TN where the true terror is how did you get to Memphis and not Pulaski? You didn't write Gov. Breadsen on them crackers
that are whooping Blacks everyday for the hell of it.” Your state isinfested with places where children are being beaten by bullying teachers. God only knows how many rape instances and other assaults are occurring as a result. Boy! this makes me feel angry but more hurt, knowing that this evil practice is still thought to be acceptable.
We demand that you put a ban on corporal punishment in your state immediately. We are organizing to rally in front of your office soon if this is not done so before the end of this week. There is no excuse for delay. There is only more harm and imminent danger for the children under your care who are waiting for your protection.
We are prepared to train all of your teachers to use 21st century proven positive discipline methods beginning immediately.
It is the intent of The Hitting Stops Here!, and Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education to finally close this ugly chapter in our country's history; once and forall …and from there to lead the world by example into a more civilized place. It took over 400 years to close the door on slavery in the North American Continent, and until 1964, to see that ALL Americans are treated with full respect of their civil rights. And yet, even today; that most vulnerable segment of our Nation, the part of our social and moral fabric from which will be cut the next generation of leaders, and citizens, our lawmakers donot fully recognize that a child is entitled to the same protection of law which any adult takes for granted.
Our schools and those entrusted with their administration to this day either refuse to recognize, or disingenuously feign ignorance of medical, legal, and other clear imperial evidence of the consequences of battering a growing human body. Since you feel that Corporal Punishment is so clearly efficacious in academic settings, then why not also corporally punish your staff when they violate school policies, or are insubordinate, late, or otherwise uncooperative to the Administration?
...and what corporal punishment is appropriate when an Administrator violates policy?
Why don't organizations like the National Counsel on Academic Accreditation, outline it's usage, methodology, and provide a syllabus on the subject of corporal punishment's application within academia, at any level or grade?
If your Administration refuses to at least conduct its own investigation, and in the meantime suspend the principal, pending the outcome of the MAHS investigation; then we shall have no other alternative but to conclude three things:
1. Your Administration is not only in tacit approval of the unlawful acts, and in fact, an accessory, ex post facto, and in further fact--in collusion with the persons who committed the assault upon a minor child, which is a felony offense.
2. Your lack of response will provide a prima fascia case to the District Court, from where an Injunction shall be filed, to order that you cease and desist in your unlawful actions, or be shut down altogether while the State and Federal authorities investigate this matter in total.
3. Concerning Memphis Academy of Health Sciences and the Pulaski school district, we shall pursue all civil and criminal actions for which you and your Administration are liable; and make our case with the local and state, then Federal courts, and collect monetary, punitive, and compensatory damages for the victims of your criminal and civil torts.
Or you can do the right thing, save your own job in the process, and at the same time distance yourself from those already heading for jail and or civil court for their existing actions against minor children...it's up to you.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 11, 2009
Dear Govenor Bredesen,
As you will see in the letter below, there is institutionalized racism going on in the Pulaski, Tennessee schools. "White people are whupping black boys just for the hell of it," says a Tennessee parent in the email below.
Mr. Governor, please address the Pulaski school district immediately. This is an emergency situation for these children, particularly for the black boys in your state. Stop it now! and stop it throughout your state! You have the power to do so. The children not only need you, but are counting on you to act as a responsible caring adult. No delays nor excuses. Protect our children from being assaulted and battered at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, the Pulaski, Tennessee school district, and all schools throughout your state where this practice is still sanctioned.
This is but a stroke of the pen for you. By being in a position to hold back funding from schools that beat their children, your job is simple enough. That much you can most certainly declare immediately and all paddles will drop. Please send out this message without delay. Stop it now! Bring your state into the 21st century. You have the power to do so.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 11, 2009
…Why have you not gone to Pulaski TN where the true terror is how did you get to Memphis and not Pulaski? You didn't write Gov. Breadsen on them crackers that are whooping Blacks everyday for the hell of it. where is your fight for them ? where is your protest for them? Don't back down on the real enemy and fight to close a black school down but don't have that same zeal to take on the white people. You should be ashamed to be such a coward.
Maurice D Muhammad
Nashville, Tennessee parent
April 11, 2009
Letter to Governor Bredesen
Threat on the Lives of members of The Hitting Stops Here!
Below is a letter from an African American man from Nashville, Tennessee speaking on behalf of his associates who support beating the children at Memphis Academy of Health Sciences. When you’ve read to the end, you will see that he has placed a threat on the lives of members of The Hitting Stops Here! Please notice that these very people who support the beating of children at MAHS are clearly supporters of using violence as a means of problem-solving. Why else would they be threatening us like bullies? Their preferred problem-solving tool is “violence” and they want to literally beat this model into MAHS students. According to an overabundance of scientific data, they are only succeeding in perpetuating the cycle of abuse and violence in their children when they resort to such models. And, this violence will surely spill over into mainstream America. It also perpetuates black on black crime. This criminal type behavior is directed most often at the same students attending this school, on a regular basis.
Members of the 100 Black Men Organization openly support beating our black boys and girls. Mr. Bernal Smith, president of MAHS, is also president of the Memphis Tennessee Chapter of the 100 Black Men Organization, and he is bent on continuing the beatings and other forms of harmful treatment directed at these children.
Who would allow any adult, let alone a 6’6” man, to beat their child on a regular basis or to just as frequently slap their precious daughter’s hands or buttocks with leather strap or wooden board? There exists the possibility that Mr. Weathers spanks the girls there too. The people whom the man from Nashville represents are all okay with having this barbaric treatment continue at Memphis Academy of Health Sciences because they wholeheartedly accept violence as a means of problem-solving. Responsible and caring adults know better and must act together on behalf of these children.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 11, 2009
Letter from Nashville, Tennessean:
First I want to start out by saying Peace and Blessing to all
This attack on Mr. Smith and his school in Memphis TN must stop now. You are not doing your cause any justice by attacking my people like that, it offends me and makes me very mad you may disagree with Brother Smith policies about corporal punishment but look at the way you are acting you are acting like savages. He is a Black man who saw a problem and then decided to do something about it. He is trying to help save a people that needs to be saved and by giving proper education and discpline you attack him because you disagree with how he deals with bad or disruptive behavior, but compare his results with those who policies are different he does what he do out of love for his people and his community.
Now what have you done to make our children lives better, where are your works? where are your schools ? what track record do you have for being on the front line for our people ? And you have the nerve to talk about our National Black Leaders if I were you, I would keep there names out your mouth because again they have put their life on the line for our people time and time again and you sir have not you can hide in your white skin we can't. You don't know what it is like to be a Black male or female in America Black people see things different than white people on issues and sometime you have to whoop some ass to get the proper attention the Bible says spear the rod and spoil the child my brother does what he do out of love and respect for our people. If you come back to that school and trying to cause trouble we Black men in TN will meet you at the gates and we will protect that school and our children because they are right for what they are trying to do. So if you don't want to meet us in battle I suggest you back up and off our brother and his school or we will meet you in battle and will wipe the earth with you.
Maurice D Muhammad
April 9, 2009
Dear Mr. Bernal Smith,
Thank you for your response. I look forward to hearing from your legal counsel. We are glad that you feel the need to address our concerns with an outsider as we requested in the beginning. We only hope that you will follow through on what you are saying this time.
The opportunity for an investigation to be held on how discipline is administered within the walls of your school is of utmost importance at this time and will greatly benefit the students enrolled there. All reports from parents and students attending your school indicate violations of students’ rights under Human Rights Article 5 and Tennessee Board of Education policy # 5147, sec. III-x.
It is alarming that at this point we have not heard back from any state officials regarding the abuse taking place at MAHS including the governor and mayor. The only response we have received thus far is from the director of Memphis Tennessee Charter Schools, Mr. Eric Hilgendorf, in which he stated directly to us, “We are only concerned with grades and funding at this school.” (Important note: this school serves a low income, 100% black student body.) His response indicates that the treatment of your students is of no importance to the director of this school. Parents beware!: This is the response from the Director of your children’s school concerning numerous reports of child abuse.
Fact: Girls as young as eleven years old are beaten on their hands with a leather strap, receiving a minimum of 10 lashes on a regular basis during “Chapel,” as well as randomly during the week. These beatings are done by 6’6”, Principal Curtis Weathers. They can all anticipate premature arthritis along with other lifelong problems with their hands as a result of this repeated abuse. They are also beaten on their buttocks by Mrs. Biles, Middle School Principal, when she is available.
Fact: Boys are beaten every Friday during “Chapel” in full view of the student body, in the same manner in which slaves were beaten in full view of their fellow townsmen. There they receive a minimum of four to ten blows to their buttocks by Mr. Weathers. They are also beaten regularly during any other school day. Sexual confusion, low self-esteem and a host of other problems result from this type of violent disciplining of children. Many of these abused students receive these beatings three to four times each week and have been since the beginning of school year, 2008.
Fact: A 15 year old girl was raped after being taken from your campus while school was in session.
Fact: Students and parents informed The Hitting Stops Here! that Mr. Weathers made the comment addressed in our previous correspondence, “She will just have to get over it.” This is the same attitude that was taken toward the slave women who were repeatedly raped by their slave masters. “…just get over it.” There is no evidence of MAHS taking responsibility for providing this now, “at risk” student, with therapy for the permanent damage and violation that she has sustained while under the care of Memphis Academy of Health Sciences.
Fact: None of the documentation that we have in our hands is of our opinion nor prefabricated by our organization nor by Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education, of which we are all board members. All documents have been supplied by parents and students of Memphis Academy of Health Sciences.
We will be advocating for the families in your care (most of whom are unskilled at effectively articulating their needs), until the officials and governing bodies of this school step in to take on their responsibility to these children. We will not go away until the abuse that these children are submitting to on a regular basis is permanently interrupted at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere.”
TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net)
408.223.7797
April 9, 2009
Ms. Flowe you are completely out of order! You continue to perpetuate lies, committing libel and slander at the highest levels against our school principal specifically and against our school in general. You have gone overboard in your efforts to damage our organizations and influence our policies despite statements from all authorities that we are operating well within the letter of the law. You have also been rebuffed wholeheartedly by our parents both in person and on the radio show hosted by Andre Guy. They have communicated clearly that they do not want or need your input or assistance. It is clear that you are attempting to intimidate, threaten and coerce by any means necessary. Clearly you are entitled to your opinions on corporal punishment or anything else, but you are not entitled to force those opinions and ideas on others, particularly those who have soundly rejected them. Your low brow, under handed tactics will result in swift legal action on our part. Your communications regarding this matter with the young lady at our school represent a gross and insensitive misrepresentation of the facts. I have copied our legal counsel on this email and have requested of him that we pursue to the fullest extent, every legal measure possible to stop your continued defamation and overzealous pursuits against our school. This is no veiled threat, I promise you that we will protect the stellar reputation of our organizations in making a positive difference in the lives of youth. Please know that we will fufill our continued legal and spiritual obligations to the families we serve and we will move beyond, through, and over any obstacles that stand in the way of that effort.
The letter below has received no response to date. Principal Weathers has not responded to any of our calls or emails. Whenever I have written to him, I receive a response from Mr. Bernal Smith. This lack of response on the part of Mr. Weathers leads me to lack confidence in his belief that the brutal behavior he executes toward the children in his care in in fact an acceptable means of punishment. Paula Flowe, Director, The Hitting Stops Here! (April 25, 2009)
April 9, 2009
Dear Mr. Curtis Weathers,
It has been brought to our attention by students and parents of Memphis Academy of Health Sciences that you said, concerning the 15 year old rape victim attending your school, “She’s just going to have to get over that.” The alleged charges will be thoroughly investigated. We hope it is not true. When it has been ascertained that you did not make this crude and hurtful statement about this precious child, we will work on more congenial terms. We need to discuss this matter immediately for your sake, but more so for the sake of the young lady victim, and all children in your care.
We also have students who will inform us as to whether you will be holding “Chapel" or not this Friday, your "stage-centered" beatings. We are glad that so far it has not occurred for at least two consecutive weeks. If it does, don’t be surprised by the message you will receive by the end of the day from many. Also, we do have flies on the walls with cameras. If we are informed of any more spankings done in your school anytime, anywhere to any “who,” you will be regretful that you did not take time to use a newly discovered positive discipline strategy instead (please view:. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvAURynYOLU&feature=channel_page).
If what has been told to us by these parents and students is true, it will be in your best interest to openly meet with this young lady and her parents to offer her your apologies, immediately. The horrible experience that this young lady endured makes her “at risk” and she is, therefore, in immediate need of counseling which the school must provide. The parent must be advised of the qualifying factors of a counselor who is able to meet the young lady’s special and sensitive needs; therefore, I would like to be on the team of advisors for this parent.
We also ask that you tell your students that the paddle and the leather straps will immediately take their places along side the slave plantation whipping boards of Tennessee. Your students must leave school on Friday knowing that their bodies will be protected and treated with dignity and respect at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences from now on and that in no way will they ever be violated there again. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Paula Flowe, Director
The Hitting Stops Here!
A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere. TheHittingStopsHere.com
paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board member, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
c.: Bernal Smith, Eric Hilkendorf, Christy Ballard, Bill Morrison, Governor Bredesen, Chief Police Officer of Memphis, Mayor of Memphis TN, and other officials and concerned citizens
March 30, 2009
An Open Letter to ABC News Reporter, Mr. Kevin Holmes Cc: Govenor Phil Bresden, MayorWillie Herenton,Memphis Chief Police Officer Larry Godwin
Thank you for reporting the issue of corporal punishment taking place at Memphis Academy of Health Sciences.
If this school is not shut down by Wednesday, April 1, The Hitting Stops Here! will be on a returning flight on Thursday, April 2, to campaign in front of the school and to report to the officials and administrators overseeing this school until it is closed. The “Chapel” event where the children enrolled in this school are beaten in a stage like setting before the entire student body, is only part of the brutal behavior that the children attending this school are being forced to endure daily.
After our interview with you, a few parents and children contacted The Hitting Stops Here! to offer information concerning the random and rampant abuse going on in this school. Girls' hands are being damaged by Principal Curtis Weathers, a 6' 6" former football player. He takes a leather strap 2" wide and nearly a 1/4" thick and slaps the girls on their hands ten consecutive times. If the girls draw their hands back in pain and fear, he starts the count again on their potentially permanently nerve damaged hands. The girls are lined up in full view of their peers waiting one by one for their turn to receive their beatings. If the girls do not make it through ten slaps, they are suspended and must take the ten slaps again when they return to school before resuming their classes. The girls are not slapped on their hands if President of Middle School, Ms. Biles, is available. When Ms. Biles is present, the girls must assume a rump presentation posture while leaning on the back of a chair that has been placed at the center floor. They receive from Ms. Biles, five forceful blows to their buttocks, an erogenous zone. Science has proven that such battering of the buttocks causes sexual confusion, low self esteem and a host of other issues.
The boys are paddled by Mr. Curtis Weathers in the same manner. He beats the boys’ buttocks after he has looked down inside of their pants to see if they are wearing layered clothing (if so, they must take them off). After he has grabbed the back of their pants yanking them up into their buttocks as tightly as possible causing severe pain and damage to their testes, he raises his arm back to strike them anywhere from five to fourteen forceful blows. Some students are being subjected to this abuse during each Friday “Chapel” event and have been since the beginning of the school year. “Chapel” is the only time when students are permitted to laugh out loud and call out names to ridicule their peers without being punished. Other students hold their heads down and cover their ears during this sadistic event. Reasons for paddlings may be, chewing gum, talking, laughing, kicking or swinging feet, dancing, picking up a pencil from the floor. Principal Weathers calls the paddles by names. The bigger one is called, “The Terminator,” the smaller one is “Mr. Wood.”
There is a dreary room that students must sit in for more than four hours at a time when they are "bad." There is nothing but old dusty things on the walls and around the room. The paint on the walls is old too.
During class when children have to go to the bathroom, teachers very often deny bathroom passes. Children are left with having to wait to ask their next teacher because running into the restroom between classes is forbidden and cause for a paddling. The next teacher may or may not grant permission to use the bathroom.
The coach is also abusing the children. He too, is a former athlete; not quite as tall as Mr. Weathers, but more stocky and just as intimidating. He handles students forcefully and pushes them down to the ground telling children as young as12 years old to “man up” or “suck it up” if they cry. He says things to tease them and to make them feel inadequate and wimpy if they cry during his “Physical Education” lessons.
I called the Memphis Police Dept. to find out if I can report a crime that I know of in Memphis even though I am from out of town. They informed me that it did not matter whether I was from out of town and that I could give my report. When I began telling my report, their response changed to, “We don't take reports by phone. I can't help you...we don't handle that...” leaving me with no viable option for having these children protected right away.
The children attending this school are not being protected by their parents, the school, nor the community police.
I will be in touch with you again, Mr. Holmes, and appreciate any help you may offer in having the proper authorities notified of our children’s unsafe condition.
Sincerely yours,
Paula Flowe, Director
The Hitting Stops Here!
A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere. TheHittingStopsHere.com
paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board member, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
March 28, 2009
To: Memphis Police Department, Officials and Administrators of Memphis Academy of Health Sciences
CC: Mandated Reporters and Responsible Adults at Large
From: Paula Flowe, Director of The Hitting Stops Here!
Re: Children are in Danger at Memphis Academy of Health and Sciences.
Urgent Request for this School to be Closed and for an Immediate Investigation of Misconduct and Abuse Toward Children Committed by Staff and Faculty
(This letter is also being filed as a police report with the Memphis , Police Department.)
Administrators and staff at the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences are reportedly, abusing the sixth through ninth grade students in their care. Principal, Chris Weathers, a man of 6’6” and a former football player, beats the children in his care on a regular basis. Girls are being slapped on their hands by him with a leather strap that is two inches wide and a quarter inch thick. These little girls must hold their hands out to be slapped ten times by Principal, Chris Weathers. If they withdraw their precious hands in anticipation of being struck during the ten blows, the count up to ten begins again and they are threatened with suspension and the ten blows upon returning to school. Mr. Chris Weathers beats the tender hands of these young ladies only if middle school Principal, Ms. Biles, is not available to beat them on their buttocks with a wooden board.
Ms. Biles appears to be a woman of height and stature in her school photo. She beats the girls on their buttocks with a wooden board while they lean on the back of a chair, once they have assumed the rump presentation posture in the front of the gym and before the entire student body who are seated on the bleachers. After the girls are beaten, they are permitted to run to the girl’s room to cry and run cold water on their potentially nerve damaged hands. These hand beatings occur until the last awaiting girl receives her blows, standing alone before the entire student body and having watched all go before her.
The boys are lined up too, and must take a rump presentation posture with Principal Chris Weathers while leaning on the back of a chair. He then yanks their pants into their buttocks, creating a wedgy, so popularly referred to, causing discomfort to their developing testes as well. If an erection occurs for the boy during the excitement and fear of this incident, science has reported that sterility and sexual confusion may occur even at just one such beating.
In addition to these violations of these children’s Human Rights (see Article 5), it is mandatory that the entire student body be present to watch these “slave plantation” style beatings. These beatings model those done in the town square during slavery days. The on looking slaves learned to take heed of their masters’ power and to not end up in a like situation being flogged as a slave.
According to several reports, the on looking students have a variety of reactions and responses. Some laugh and call the paddled children names. This calling out is not discouraged by the educators or administrators who are present. Some of the children hold their heads down and cover their ears. Others become teary eyed. Still others show no reaction at all.
Reportedly, there is a “list” of those who will be beaten before the student body at Chapel. The administrators publicize these names on an indoor school wall, sometimes posting the names as early as the Monday prior to that Friday’s “Chapel.” “Chapel” is a ritual-like school event where the student body assembles to watch the “bad” children receive their blows. Some children have reported that when they check the list and see their name, oftentimes, they have no idea why their name was added. Was it for chewing gum? Talking in the hall? Laughing? Several students have reported that they have received severe paddlings every week since the beginning of school year, 2008-09. Some have reported that only during one or two months in this period of time have they received a paddling on only three Fridays out of the month, rather than the usual four out of the month.
“Chapel” is not the only time that these same children are beaten. They reportedly, receive these beatings in a rampant and random way, as described by one parent. While changing classes in the hallways, if these children are, so-called, “acting out,” they can be grabbed in the same manner as during chapel right there in the hallway, having their pants yanked into their buttocks, and paddled anywhere from two to ten or more blows to their buttocks. Whoever is present in the hallway during the punishment is left without having been warned or protected from having to watch this violent model.
In addition, Principal Chris Weathers has names for the two paddles that he uses for beating the children in his care. The bigger of the two is called, “The Terminator.” The smaller one is called, Mr. Wood.
When I called to report these criminal acts to the Memphis Police, I asked if their police would respond to a criminal report from me, even though I am from out of town. Their response was yes. They said, at first, that it did not matter that I was from out of town and that the police look into crime reports given by people who are from out of town. When I told them about the crimes being committed against the children at this school, the “run-around” began. By the end of the conversation, they were no longer bound to investigate nor did they allow me to make a report. I have the entire call documented.
During the time that The Hitting Stops Here! campaigned on Friday, March 27, in front of this school for these children’s safety, we spoke to parents who have children enrolled in this school. Many of them stated that they agreed with the corporal punishment going on there and furthermore, that this punishment is important and necessary for their children’s success. They felt that the paddle was the ruling classroom management tool in every “effective teacher’s” tool box.
These same parents are generally the types who are not open to learning nonviolent methods of childrearing and classroom management techniques. Thus, children beaten at this school are likely to be receiving this same type of punishment at home. They have no protection under law in either environment. Generally, unless children in this social status are raped in a most violent way, or, possibly, if there is a bone broken, or a large amount of blood shed, abuse directed at these children goes unnoticed and uninterrupted. These children are regarded in this manner by the authorities in their lives and by society at large.
I reported the abuse occurring at Memphis Academy of Health Sciences to the Memphis , TN , Commercial Appeal Newspaper on Saturday morning, March 28, and to Radio shows in Washington D C. The report that you are presently reading was written on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 6am EST and is an updated version of all reports that I have submitted by email and voicemail up to now. The Hitting Stops Here! gave this report to Mr. Kevin Holmes during an interview held Friday, March 27, 10pm on an ABC News Report outside of the school.
This report is urgent and worthy of being announced on national news. From what I have learned from witnesses, including the children attending this school and their parents, the children attending this school are in danger. I also believe that if the children attending this school were not poor and black, but rather, white and middle class, given this same information, an investigation would be underway and warrants for arrest would be served by now.
Please note that a former cafeteria worker at this charter school has been charged with statutory rape after having a sexual relationship with a 15 year old student at the school. Somehow the girl was taken from the school to a nearby home. After having a sexual encounter with the cafeteria worker, the girl was brought back to the school just before students were dismissed. This report is in the March 24, 2009 issue of their local newspaper, the Commercial Appeal.
Please join us in taking immediate action in our effort to protect the children attending this school from further abuse.
Below are numbers of important people that can be contacted for having this school closed and investigated immediately.
Thank you,
Paula Flowe, Director
The Hitting Stops Here! paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board member, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
Officials and Administrators of this school district to call: Eric Hilgendorf, Dir. of Memphis Charter Schools: 615.741.8486 Christy Ballard, Legal Council for Dept. of Ed.: 615.741.2921 Bernal Smith,Mem. Chap. Pres.: 901.626.3994, bsmith2030@msn.com Curtis Weathers,Prin(executing the beatings):weathers_c@comcast.net Memphis Academy for Health Sciences: 901-382-1441
March 25, 2009
Dear Mr. Bernal Smith,
I am surprised and more concerned than before that you would dismiss the words of Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Daniel F. Whiteside, Spiritual Leader, Desmond M. Tutu, English Philosopher, John Locke, Educator, Psychiatrist, Activist, Author and Media consultant, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, and Rhetorician Quintlian, people who are widely respected and whose backgrounds we can check. After dismissing them, you offer me a reference to a website you use to validate beating the children in your care. Are you not aware that the authors of that website are also forces with a website that perpetuates the proper way of wife beating? Please visit their website http://www.disciplinarywivesclub.com/tips.htm. Paddlers are addicted to paddling. They also have a website that perpetuates animal beating. There you can learn the proper ways of beating your pet.
Your great-great grandmother was beaten on the ground according to these teachings. Dress flying up; it didn’t matter. So was mine. Are you sure you want to perpetuate beating blacks to “get them to do as told?” The children of our president will be leaders, for sure, without having been beaten at all, let alone in public disgrace. Have you ever viewed the movie, Uncle Tom’s Cabin? Or read the biography of Willie Lynch? It will put things in perspective for you.
My God. I ask all recipients of this letter to join children’s rights advocates in saying no more! No more delay or complacency! No more excuses! No more humiliation! No more perpetuations of “slavery days” tactics. No more manipulation of what is professional and what is an emotional, sexual, mental, racial, or personal problem. No more ignoring scientific facts due to it being mostly black and brown children who are beaten. How far would you get, Mr. Smith, if you went to an all white school and pulled out your paddle and started beating those white buttocks for discipline? You are feeding your children the recipe for alcoholism, failure, despair, prison sentences, spousal and child abuse, whether you realize it or not.
Everyone reading this letter knows that if the children attending your school were all white, especially girls, and the teachers were black, mostly male, that no way would the authorities that be have allowed this behavior to go on. They would have ended it a long time ago and you would be out of a job in most states.
I encourage everyone receiving this letter to contact Mr. Smith and request that he meet with The Hitting Stops Here! and Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education, with Mr. Weathers present, the principal committing the “Chapel” beatings . (See contact information below.) We request this meeting for Friday morning, March 27. If beating children is good, right and professional, why not meet to enlighten us. Perhaps Pres. Obama is not giving his children their best possible opportunity for becoming leaders because they are not spanked at all by the head of their school let alone on a stage. For that matter what a silly sign they have at the entrance of their school, “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.”
I suggest, Mr. Smith, that you reconsider your decision to meet with us. We want only to talk to you about having your administrators and staff turn in their weapons before somebody gets hurt. We believe there is a peaceful way to solve EVERY conflict and want to present our findings on what is available in the form of disciplining children in ways that preserve their dignity and respect while producing leaders, problem solvers and independent thinkers.
America’s children in paddling schools are “ready for a change” that does not require first aid.
Please contact me.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere. TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
March 24, 2009
Mr. Smith,
I don't imagine you were aware of this, but the "Spank with Love" website to which you have directed us is actually a veiled adult website oriented toward child-spanking fetishes. See, for instance, their "Spanking techniques" page at www.geocities.com/spankwithlove3/techniques.html, or some of their "Reader Feedback" pages.
The fact that you cite this website by way of defending corporal punishment is ironic, given that the site illustrates one of the major hazards associated with this brand of discipline: subversion by sexual motive. That you would recommended this site with no apparent misgivings suggests that you are woefully naive when it comes to spanking's darker side. (See related: www.nospank.net/101.htm).
That being said, the specific page you cited does include some links to legitimate articles. Along with the pro-spanking items, however, there is also a sizable listing of items which represent views contrary to your own. So it should be noted that this page likewise provides "a ton of information" about the pathogeneity of corporal punishment (if you care to read it).
Tom Johnson
Tennesseans for Non-Violent School Discipline (www.forkidsake.org)
March 24, 2009
Apparently I was not clear in my initial email. We will not be participating in and certainly not hosting a meeting. In terms of research, let me refer you to this website: http://www.geocities.com/spankwithlove3/references.html. There is a ton of information if you care to read it, including scientific studies that support the use of corporal punishment as a positive tool of behavior modification and nurturing child rearing.
You will find reference information to both pro and anti cp arguments on this site. As I've said before you are entitled to your opinions but you are not entitled to force them upon others. We remain in compliance with the law and steadfast along with the support of our parents in the application of corporal punishment as an effective component of our discipline policy. We are prepared and well equipped to defend our position and the stellar reputation and performance of our school.
You promote beating children to discipline them. This is what an Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Daniel F. Whiteside, has to say about what you are doing:
“Corporal punishment of children actually interferes with the process of learning and with their optimal development as socially responsible adults. We feel it is important for public health workers, teachers and others concerned for the emotional and physical health of children and youth to support the adoption of alternative methods for the achievement of self-control and responsible behavior in children and adolescents.”
In all honesty, Mr. Smith, what do you have to match what this doctor has stated besides your personal belief in a wooden board and what you saw growing up in your neighborhood? Really, show some credible sources of scientific data that back up the punishment methods being used at your school. I don’t mean to be rude, Mr. Smith, but responsible caring adults side with scientific knowledge, not old school thoughts and ideas from those who remain unenlightened. I refer to those living according to how things were when Harriet Tubman was trying to get our race freed from this type of “getting black folks to do as their told!” type of training.
Desmond M. Tutu loves children. This is what he had to say about corporal punishment:
“If we really want a peaceful and compassionate world, we need to build communities of trust where all children are respected, where home and school are safe places to be and where discipline is taught by example.” Having children posture their buttocks in the rump presentation form so as to receive battering in a sexual erogenous zone, in front of the entire population of their peers, is hardly respectful, Mr. Smith.
The Mission Statement that you have approved of for your school, The Memphis Academy for Health Sciences, says the following:
“The Memphis Academy for Health Sciences will equip students with the necessary skills to be competitive in the 21st Century. Our students will demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak and calculate with clarity and precision. Successful transition to high school will be a primary goal for all.” English Philosopher, John Locke, said this about corporal punishment: “Slavish discipline makes a slavish temper…Beating them, and all other sorts of slavish and corporal punishments, are not the discipline fit to be used in the education of those we would have wise, good, and ingenuous men.” Clearly Locke, would disagree with beating children on their buttocks, and done on stage in view of other young ones no less. Oh my!
Educator, psychiatrist, activist, author and media consultant, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, had this to say about corporal punishment: “Researchers have also found that children who are spanked show high rates of aggression and delinquency in childhood than those who were not spanked. As adults, they are more prone to depression, feelings of alienation, use of violence toward a spouse, and lower economic and professional achievement. None of this is what we want for our children.” Can you match any of his words with the stick you permit to be used on the children in your care and with what you learned growing up in the neighborhood?
As far as I know, this type of punishment is certainly not taught in any College of Education. If so, Mr. Smith, which one? I must see that data, for we at The Hitting Stops Here! and Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education have searched far and wide to find one school of education anywhere in the United States that teaches anything about a wooden board being applied to a child’s behind in order to gain the results we want for children academically or otherwise. If it were the case, I am quite sure that the principal of the school that our president’s children attend would use it often and in like manner so as to give the president’s children and his entire school, the best possible experience for a happy successful future. After all, they are likely to become leaders one day. But that would not be the case, Mr. Smith, because when I met the principal of their school and told him what teachers are doing to children in schools in this country in the name of “discipline,” his eyes welled up in tears. He exclaimed, “This is an abomination. My God. I had no idea this was still going on!” Those were his exact words to me.
Mr. Smith, I believe that you want what is best for the children in your charter school, but can you produce the literature that backs up your adopted philosophy of allowing them to be battered on the buttocks and furthermore, in public display, as a way to make them better people, better adults. This type of training is just what slave masters did to their slaves to bring about more diligent laboring from the poor wretched beaten one and the onlookers as well. It was where they learned to be more obedient and to work harder for old master out of the mere avoidance of pain, shame and humiliation. This type of cruelty is not alright, Mr. Smith. It must stop immediately. We are not going away. You will stop allowing these beatings to target the children in your care. This will stop and it will stop here and now. Thank God for the news media being brave enough to shine a light on this despicable behavior. I commend them.
Please let me know what time we can meet on Friday morning, March 27 so that the process of replacing this harmful practice with proven positive discipline methods may begin immediately as well as the much needed healing of each child affected by this horrid, practice both as victim and witness. We would like to meet at the Academy with you along with Mr. Weathers.
In the words of Rhetorician Quintlian, born 35 A. D. regarding corporal punishment, “It is a disgusting and slavish treatment…when children are beaten, pain or fear frequently have the result of which it is not pleasant to speak and which are likely subsequently to be a source of shame, shame which unnerves and depresses the mind and leads the child to shun the light of day and loathe the light I will spend no longer on this matter. We know enough about it already.”
Again, please let me know a good time for this meeting concerning the betterment of your children, all of whom are our children.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere” TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
March 24, 2009
All Communication with MAHS in any capacity is over! Our agape love for the youth of Memphis involves a total 21 century education that envelops, contains, and exceeds a love incapable of abuse or violence. We are are aggressively pursuing our vision to be the Best Public School in the Nation, and continued interaction on this level will produce style and focus drift.
Djoyce
MAHS - Board Chair
"Changing Lives, One Mind At A Time"
March 24, 2009
Mr. Lawson, you and your group may continue to spread lies, slander and commit libel. There is nothing that we do that comes remotely close to abuse and to state so is simply wrong. We will be turning the entire matter over to our legal counsel. We have broken no laws and are in compliance with all State and local codes. We have a high regard for the laws of this land whereas its apparent that you don't. You continue your course of action to your own detriment.
Mr. Smith. I think what is really sad is your continued denial of what you are doing to these children. How on earth can you possibly justify not only beating these children, but humiliated them by forcing them to bend over so you can beat them on their bottoms in front of their classmates?
Are you so blind to the facts and research that show the dangers and long term damages that hitting children does? Are you so intent on hitting children that you refuse to listen when people and professionals are trying to help you see the wrongs of your ways?
Make no mistake, sir, we will put you and your abusive group out of business. We have contacted numerous education organizations, the government in the State of TN, along with the national organizations out to protect children from your abusive ways. We will do everything within our legal power and rights to put your school out of business, if that is what it takes to end this ridiculous sort of abusiveness towards these children.
You are, whether you like it or not, governed and monitored under state and federal laws, Mr Smith. You do not have the right to act with impunity and continue to assault children the way you are without any consequences.
You and your entire group should be ashamed of yourselves. Why do you think that no other school in this country paddles children like you do, in a "chapel?" Were you and your group all beaten as children? I'd like to know if you have yourself, or any of the board members, been born and raised in another country where this sort of brutality and humiliation was an every day part of your lives?
Paula Flowe states no lies, sir, she speaks only the truth. As you continue to hide behind your pulpit, and YOUR lies, sir, you will be brought out into the open further. I'm sure the media will continue, as they should, to report the abuse that does on.
Ms. Flowe we will not be participating in nor entertaining any sort of meeting with you or your colleagues or any of the organizations that you represent. You have misrepresented on your website that such a meeting had already been scheduled. Please refrain from this sort of trickery. Our interest are with the children and families of the Memphis community that we serve and have served faithfully for years. It is quite apparent that yours lie only in your agenda. You are not stakeholders in our community, you are not taxpayers in our community and certainly you have no vested interested in our community. Therefore you and those in your association have no problem attempting to use our organization and community simply and only to advance your agenda in the name of the children we serve. That is woefully shameful. You have run amok with rumor, innuendo and out and out lies misrepresenting what goes on within the hallowed halls of our school. It is apparent that there is malice in your intentions and we will not fuel that at any juncture. What's regrettable is that one of our local news stations would give fuel to this sort of chicanery and tomfoolery, but again we will not contribute one iota to it. We respectfully decline your request for a meeting.
Bernal Smith
President
100 Black Men of Memphis, Inc
Treasurer and Founding Board Member
Memphis Academy of Health Sciences
March 23, 2009
Dear Mr. Weathers,
The Hitting Stops Here! request holding a conference with you on Friday, March 27 in the morning. Please contact me at your earliest convenience letting me know the time that works best for you.
This letter serves as an invitation to Mr. Burnell Smith and Comissioner Dr. Warren as well.
We look forward to this meeting and discussing our concerns.
Sincerely,
Paula Flowe, Director,
The Hitting Stops Here!
“A campaign for teaching kindness and respect in schools everywhere” TheHittingStopsHere.com paulaflowe@thehittingstopshere.com
Board Member of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
408.223.7797
March 19, 2009
Dear Governor Bredesen,
I am writing to bring to your attention a WREG News press release, published Feb 25, 2009, concerning a Tennessee charter middle school, Memphis Academy for Health Sciences. This press release states that at the end of each week, students who have been charged with breaking a rule are subjected to being battered on their buttocks with a wooden board by the principal in front of the entire student body. This ritualistic practice takes place on stage in their assembly hall. Each Friday, students are degraded in this violent, barbaric manner, which science has proven is psychologically and emotionally damaging to the victims and witnesses alike.
I have years of extensive experience in investigating school discipline polices in the US schools. I can readily verify that there is not one school system throughout the U S that allows administrators to beat students in front of their peers, let alone in an open assembly. Tennessee school policy has laws that prohibit administrators from corporally punishing children in view of other students.
This approach to discipline has not been legal since the “Old Plantation Days” where masters could publicly beat their slaves in front of their townsmen. The U S has laws in place that even protect prisoners from such inhumane treatment. Why are the children attending this school receiving less protection than those convicted of crimes?
An immediate investigation of the principal’s actions and the Tennessee School Policy would greatly benefit the safety, well being and dignity of the children attending this school. It is, in fact, long past the time for the practice of beating children to come to a complete end, replacing it with discipline methods more befitting to the 21st century.
I request that you contact me at your earliest convenience to inform me of when this investigation will take place.
For your convenience, I have included important contact information and references, which are enclosed in this letter.
Thank you,
Tony Brian
Board member, Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education / The Hitting Stops Here!
710 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Tower, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0382
Call Center: 615.741.2731
Eric Hilgendorf – Director of Charter Schools, 615-741-8486, eric.hilgendorf@state.tn.us
Julie McCargar – Federal Programs, 615-532-6245, Julie.McCargar@state.tn.us
Charisse Sales– Coordinator of Charter Schools, 901-416-5627, salesc@mcsk12.net
Dr. Gary Nixon – State Board of Education, 615-741-2966, gary.Nixon@tn.gov
References to this story:
News Article: http://www.wreg.com/ (Key Word: Charter School Discipline)
WREG News: Stephanie Scurlock, News Reporter, 901-543-2333
Our organizations contact information:
Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
Executive Director: Jordan Riak, http://www.nospank.net
901-382-1441
901-382-1441, 
901-626-3994,