Following widespread backlash, a Pennsylvania school board voted in favor of reversing their decision to cancel an anti-bullying speech by openly gay actor Maulik Pancholy at a middle school.
The Cumberland Valley School District school board initially canceled the event over concerns that Pancholy would "impose" his "activism" and "lifestyle" onto students.
Community members filled a high school auditorium on Wednesday and spent several hours criticizing the board's April 15 decision to cancel the talk. The board ultimately voted 5-to-4 to reinstate the invitation.
Pancholy, an Indian-American actor known for his roles on the comedy series 30 Rock and multiple children's cartoon series has also written children's books featuring gay characters and allies who stand up against bullying and discrimination. He was set to deliver a talk to Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg.
Board member Bud Shaffner apologized for his earlier comments about Pancholy’s “lifestyle.” Shaffner, who supported reinstating the talk, had initially described Pancholy as someone who “labels himself as an activist” and is “proud of his lifestyle,” expressing concerns about "imposing" Pancholy's views on students.
At the start of the meeting, Shaffner stated:
"I will accept the blame because of the insensitive word I spoke on April 15. I fully understand the interpretation of my poor word choice.”
Shaffner's statements indicate he gave into public pressure after initially standing by the decision to rescind Pancholy's invitation. One parent who attended the meeting said that canceling Pancholy's event because of his "political activism ... is an excuse that the public sees through.”
Following the board’s 8-to-0 vote on April 15 to cancel the talk, the Cumberland Valley School District’s Administrative Offices sent a letter to faculty, staff, and administration criticizing the vote, particularly since it wasn’t part of the board’s publicly posted meeting agenda.
It said:
“Without a real opportunity for administration to answer questions and/or provide guidance, the Board made a decision that has had significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ community."
“While the issue of ‘political activism’ was cited, statements made publicly by individual board members identified Mr. Pancholy’s sexual identity as a factor, an identity shared by many members of our school community."
"In doing so, Mr. Pancholy’s personhood was reduced to a single aspect, and his ability to communicate a message of anti-bullying and hate was discredited.”
Indeed, concerns were raised about Pancholy's background as an LGBTQ+ activist and the themes in his books, particularly The Best At It, which features LGBTQ+ characters and explores topics such as discrimination.
The situation garnered attention after Trisha Comstock, a parent of two children enrolled in the school district, shared a clip of the meeting to Facebook and drew attention to Shaffner's remarks discrediting Pancholy based on his "activism." She also started a petition to reinstate Pancholy's event that has now garnered nearly 10,000 signatures.
Pancholy last week also issued a statement about the rescinded invitation in which he stressed:
"When I visit schools, my ‘activism’ is to let all young people know that they’re seen. To let them know that they matter.”
“When I talk about the characters in my books feeling ‘different,’ I’m always surprised by how many young people raise their hands — regardless of their identities and backgrounds — wanting to share about the ways in which they, too, feel different."
“That’s the power of books. They build empathy. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?”
"It’s been incredibly moving to see the outpouring of solidarity, love, and support from the community at Mountain View Middle School: to see the petitions that you’ve started; to hear from former and current students and faculty; and to see the courage on display, particularly from young people."
In response to the decision reversing the event cancelation, he issued a short and sweet statement:
"It was an honor to listen to each of you."
“I know what this would have meant to me growing up as an LGBTQ+ kid of color. Last night, you made sure every student at MVMS knows they belong."
"I recognize there is much healing and work that still needs to happen. My heart is with you as your community continues to come together. Please know that your actions have been an inspiration to myself and to so many that have been watching."
"To every student at MVMS: I see you. I appreciate you. You matter."
"I cannot wait to meet all of you in person."
Many were pleased with the reversal.
Wednesday's decision dealt a blow to board members who had previously voted against Pancholy's appearance.
On Wednesday, board members Matthew Barrick and Kelly Potteiger voted against reinstating the event, pointing to an antiracism "tool kit" on the website of the anti-bullying organization co-founded by Pancholy. They cited the toolkit's advice on staging protests and other anti-discrimination strategies as evidence of Pancholy's political activism.
Barrick said that those who "cannot yet understand why I personally consider Maulik Pancholy a political activist, we can simply agree to disagree." Barrick also expressed concerns that reinstating the assembly would deny parents who objected to the speaker the choice to opt out. However, another board member clarified that district policy already provided that option.
Potteiger, a former member of Moms for Liberty, a far-right organization that alleges members of the LGBTQ+ community are "grooming" children, did apologize to the board, saying she believes every human life should be valued "equally and that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity."
She said her words "were not meant to disrespect the value of any individual," walking back her prior statements that the board was not "discriminating against [Pancholy's] lifestyle," only him "speaking about it."