A biracial student proudly announced on Twitter that he was accepted to a top university, only for a former member of a different state’s Board of Education to question his credentials. Now the Texas educator is apologizing.
Drake Johnson, of California, tweeted that he’s “Harvard bound,” on April 18.
It’s official, I’m Harvard bound 🎓 #harvard2022 pic.twitter.com/eorjQaJYcR
— Drake Johnson (@_littledrizzy) April 19, 2018
Two days later, George Clayton replied saying, “Congrats. Were you admitted on merit or quota?” (As of Tuesday morning, it appears that Clayton’s Twitter account has been suspended)
Congrats. Were you admitted on merit or quota?
— George Clayton (@SBOEDist12) April 20, 2018
Johnson, in response to the insulting and uncalled-for comment, took the high road, simply listing his impressive credentials to answer Clayton’s question.
Thank you! Valedictorian, ASB President, World Champion, good SAT, and a couple handfuls of other involvements, so I would think merit?
— Drake Johnson (@_littledrizzy) April 20, 2018
Drake’s mother Jeanie Johnson told the Dallas Morning News that she doesn’t know how Clayton came across her son’s tweet in the first place.
“Why do you care, and why are you asking that particular question to a kid who is clearly of some type of mixed race?” she asked.
On Monday, Clayton addressed the controversy and apologized for his insensitivity. In an evening comment, he said his question was “totally wrong and hugely insensitive.” He characterized his comment as “hateful” and “totally out of character.”
What I said in my remarks was totally wrong and hugely insensitive. My shame hangs heavy in my heart. It was totally out of character for me to make such a hateful comment. I am, of course humbled by my words and sincerely sorry for them. George Clayton
— George Clayton (@SBOEDist12) April 23, 2018
Clayton’s Twitter profile says he’s running for Board of Education again this year, but the News reports that there is no paperwork filed in his name at this point.
As for Johnson, not only did he get into Harvard, he was also accepted by ten other schools, including Cornell, Brown, and Dartmouth.
[Image via North Texas Council screengrab]
