Finding the #CovingtonCatholic student's identity was not easy.
He is not pictured in any of the school's many (many!) pics of student athletes on their website, apparently because he doesn't play sports.
But I sifted through a lot. Because I was so upset at that video. pic.twitter.com/TRJmmuirQ7
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
Here are 2 fun facts about the #CovingtonCatholic "main student" whose ID I have learned:
1: When he was a freshman, he tried to hire an "essay writing service" to do his homework.
2: His mother is a vice president at a major American financial company that you've heard of. pic.twitter.com/HTlTQtaE1f
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
Why have I decided not to share the #CovingtonCatholic kid's name? Because he's a kid.
A dumb kid. Maybe a racist kid. (more on this in a second)
But he's still a kid. Yes, I have confirmed he is under 18. pic.twitter.com/u75cqlRINK
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
The first thing you need to know about Covington Catholic High School is that it is an elite private boys school with an expensive tuition.
But the second thing you need to know is that it is as close to a "whites only" school as you can find in the 21st Century.
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
#CovingtonCatholic's race problem is not limited to the almost all-white student body however.
Before the school hastily removed its teachers directory yesterday, I reviewed it.
Every. Single. Teacher. Is. White.
(at least of those 80 listed yesterday before they took it down) pic.twitter.com/HTVcK9xTBk
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
After video surfaced of #CovingtonCatholic kids apparently harassing a Native American elder, people were angry at the students (understandably).
The school was quick to issue a statement saying it might expel some students involved.
But that's not gonna fix their race problem. pic.twitter.com/OPE625z1O6
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
This is 73 year old Bishop Foys, in charge of the diocese that the school is a part of.
One former student told me he's uncomfortable with women and girls getting leadership positions at his schools. There was also a story about a rapist that was allowed to "walk" graduation. pic.twitter.com/XMM5JkgPwd
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
As soon as the video surfaced, people started trying to ID the kids.
Hard to watch that video & not feel like they're acting like a mob.
Here's what I realized: if you try to ID kids to ruin their lives you're acting like a mob too. And there are more of us online than of them. pic.twitter.com/FfGRXbJDW5
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
I talked with a person who knows the "main student" in the #CovingtonCatholic video.
Turns out, the #magateen's favorite musician was the biracial rapper Logic.
Here are some of his lyrics. I think this is a good way to end this thread and give this community space to reflect. pic.twitter.com/2LQztOq9g5
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
One final thought: Every student in America (no matter the racial composition of their school) needs to see images like this from the Civil Rights Movement.
If we can spread this knowledge of our past as a country, kids today will be more aware of how their actions echo history. pic.twitter.com/W5dDkX78kb
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
p.s. – trump sucks, public schools rock, please follow me or whatever
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) January 20, 2019
Thanks, Mr. Parsa, I think I can speak for everyone here that your efforts to provide us with as much information as possible are greatly appreciated.
Do you feel stupid now that you know the facts? Harrassing and doxing these students and it turns out they were victims, not perpetrators. Shame on all of you. No wonder Democrats can count on your votes, you’re too stupid to bother to learn facts, you just go with the hype.
Ah, no. The facts are that those students and their all white school do not belong anyplace in America, let alone the at Lincoln Memorial.