Muslim organizations have raised concerns about a Facebook post shared by School Board Chairwoman Christie New Craig.
The post is a cartoon that reads, “Muslims hate pork, beer, dogs, bikinis, Jesus, and freedom of speech. My question is, what the hell do they come to America for?!”
Craig, who was elected in 2010 and has been chairwoman since January 2014, acknowledged she shared the post last month but said she did not mean to offend anyone. She said she is willing to talk with anyone troubled by the situation.
When asked about it recently, M’hammed Abdous, president of the Muslim Community of Tidewater, said he learned from a Chesapeake resident that Craig shared the cartoon.
“I found it saddening and disappointing that kind of language came from someone involved in educating children,” Abdous said.
Craig, who is a legislative assistant to state Sen. John Cosgrove, shared the cartoon on her personal Facebook page. It is not connected to Chesapeake Public Schools, and she said she shares many posts on that page.
She also said she did not comment on the post or endorse it in any way.
“I did not post that maliciously,” she said last week.
She also said she does not hate any racial groups or religions.
“I’m not racist. I wasn’t raised that way,” she said.
Abdous would like Craig to apologize to those offended by her sharing of the post. But more important to him, he said, is that she learn from the experience.
The statement in the cartoon is not accurate, Abdous said. For instance, Muslims are taught to consider Jesus a holy person who was a prophet, he said.
Abdous said he would like to see Craig educate herself about Islam and spread the knowledge she gains.
“I think perhaps the best option for her would be to get more information,” he said.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations sent out news releases in recent days reprimanding Craig and demanding an investigation from Chesapeake school officials. No one spoke on the issue during the public comments period at a School Board meeting Monday, and no board members addressed the topic.
The board’s next regular meeting is set for Sept. 28.
After Monday night’s meeting, Craig reiterated that she did not mean to offend anyone. She also said she’d be happy to speak with any concerned community members.
“I don’t have a problem with anyone calling me and educating,” she said.