Milwaukee Lutheran High School said Black Lives Matter group's beliefs 'do not align with biblical views'; parents urged to pull kids

A prominent Lutheran minister well known for her work at the nexus of faith and racial justice is calling on Black families to pull their children from Milwaukee Lutheran High School over its position on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Milwaukee Lutheran posted a statement online late Tuesday saying it has long supported "Black Lives and Black Families" but that the founding principles and beliefs of the Black Lives Matter organization "do not align with biblical views," citing specifically its position supporting LGBTQ rights.

The post ignited a firestorm on social media, with many — including students, parents and alumni — calling it un-Christlike and insulting to the Black students and families that make up the majority of the school's enrollment. Several said they experienced racism at the school.

On Wednesday, Venice Williams, who is internationally known for her work at Milwaukee's Alice's Garden — and whose youngest son just graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran — took to Facebook to call on Black families to boycott the school.

"Shame on You, Milwaukee Lutheran High School," Williams said in her post.

"It is time to dismantle EACH AND EVERY INSTITUTION, SMALL OR LARGE, INCLUDING ANY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS, THAT MAKE THEIR LIVINGS OFF BLACK FOLKS, AS THEY, SIMULTANEOUSLY, MOCK OUR EXISTENCE AND DISREGARD OUR HUMANITY."

At least one parent said her son will not attend Milwaukee Lutheran as planned in the fall because of the school's statement.

"He was really excited; this was his first choice," said Heather Randle, whose son Domonique is a straight-A student entering his freshman year.

"He said he wouldn't feel safe there," said Randle. "He needs to go to a school where he'll be supported ... and where he knows Black lives actually do matter."

Efforts to reach the school's principal and vice-principal were not immediately successful Wednesday. The Rev. John Wille, president of the South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, said the school is an independent entity. But he said, "as Lutheran Christians, we affirm that all people, regardless of the color of their skin" ... and "we recognize each other as precious gifts from God regardless of race."

Milwaukee Lutheran is owned and operated by 30 congregations of the Missouri Synod, a theologically conservative denomination that teaches homosexuality is a sin and contrary to scripture. Williams ministers in the much larger and liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which allows for gay marriage and gay clergy.

Williams said the Black Lives Matter post was especially troubling because so many Black students attend the school, which is supported in part by taxpayer-funded vouchers. Last year, Milwaukee Lutheran received about $7 million in payments from the state, according to data provided by the Department of Public Instruction.

"There would be no Milwaukee Lutheran if it wasn't for Black children," she said. 

"This is not just about Milwaukee Lutheran. This is about the church historically and the things we ... do and say in the name of the reigning Christ we claim to follow. For any Christian institution, especially one dominated by Black youth, to come out and say don’t support the BLM movement, it’s mocking us."

The controversy erupted this week after the school touted on Facebook the work of an art teacher and current and former students in the creation of a Black Lives Matter mural at South 60th Street and West Beloit Road in West Allis.

Hundreds responded, with many congratulating the artists and teacher. But others derided the Black Lives Matter movement as Marxist and anti-family — common criticisms among white conservatives — setting off a heated debate on race and racism in the school community.

The moderators of the page appear to have removed several comments from the feed, including those describing incidents of racism at the school, and barred some commenters. Among those blocked is Monique Liston, a 2004 graduate and founder of Ubuntu Research and Evaluation, a Black-women-led Milwaukee firm that works with schools and nonprofits around issues of equity and diversity.

Liston, who was a standout athlete and council president at Milwaukee Lutheran, said she was banned after defending herself from a commenter who told her he had "more respect for a pile of trash than I do you."

Liston, who posted a video on her page talking about the experience, said she was not surprised.

"This is how white institutions work. They work to protect themselves, to maintain whiteness," she said. "They paint me as a villain instead of engaging in intellectual debate about what is truth — which is just the opposite of what you should be teaching in an academic space."

Nevertheless, she doesn't blame parents who can't or won't pull their kids from the school.

"When it comes to Black students in particular, you don't have a lot of options (for high performing schools)," she said. "I don't blame any parents who send their kids there. The institution is the problem and they need to address their historical racism."

Contact Annysa Johnson at anjohnson@jrn.com or 414-224-2061. Follow her on Twitter at @JSEdbeat. And join the Journal Sentinel conversation about education issues at www.facebook.com/groups/WisconsinEducation.