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I’m the parent of a Lewiston High School student. Upon reading a newsletter dated Sept. 7, 2025, I came across a section announcing the “Black Student Union” was back. My initial feeling was shock; as I think about it more, I’m frustrated and, quite frankly, angry. In this day and age, how can any conscientious educator support or facilitate a program that by its name alone encourages separation, labeling and — in my opinion — teeters along the lines of racism?

If there was to ever be a “White Student Union,” concerns would immediately be raised in regard to racism, and rightly so. But for some reason it’s OK for Lewiston High School to have a student union labeled for a race that already suffers from degradation, segregation, isolation and has been fighting for equality for hundreds of years.

I really struggle with the logic of a Black student union. It promotes separation and promotes differences between people, in this case students, and, in my opinion, is very unhealthy.

Jill Polley 
Lewiston