Denton ISD assistant principal removed for conservative children's book featuring Pepe the Frog

[TexasTowelie]

Denton ISD will reassign an assistant principal who sparked controversy when he self-published a children's book featuring Pepe the Frog, a symbol that has been associated with racists.

Eric Hauser, author of The Adventures of Pepe and Pede, was removed from his position Monday, Denton ISD said. He was assistant principal of the new Rodriguez Middle School in Oak Point, which will open for students Wednesday.

The school district said in a written statement Monday that the administrator and his book "drew controversy to himself and the district."

Hauser has said he did not realize the frog featured in his conservative-themed book was connected to the so-called alt-right movement until after it was published Aug. 1.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/08/14/denton-isd-asssistant-principal-removed-job-conservative-childrens-book-featuring-pepe-frog

I read about this last week in the Dallas Observer. The events of this past weekend probably had a significant influence on his job reassignment.

Hauser is being reassigned to an unannounced role with the district because of the distraction his book's "implied message" caused colleagues throughout the district, according to a statement from Superintendent Jamie Wilson.

“We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and nurturing environment to all students. Our staff is reflective of the community we serve, where all individuals are respected,” Wilson said. “We encourage our staff and students to be free-thinking and express their ideas; however, when these ideas interrupt the ability to learn, work or create divisiveness, each of us is held accountable.”

Hauser's book featured themes and imagery consistent with the white nationalist movement. Pepe the Frog, Hauser's lead character, is a favored mascot of Donald Trump-supporting racists across social media. Many of Trump's supporters also refer to themselves as centipedes, stemming from a viral YouTube video that features an audio track from a nature video of centipedes laid over video of some of Trump's debate and speech highlights.

More at http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/denton-isd-assistant-principal-reassigned-over-pepe-the-frog-book-9767026 .

[Paladin]

1. Good move by the DISD.

This "principal" needs to migrate to some place where his sick propaganda is welcomed. Try Ohio, Mr. Hauser.