Humble ISD's superintendent, Roger Brown, has become the focal point of an investigation over remarks made during a district meeting in March. According to KHOU, Brown is under scrutiny for allegedly expressing a desire to "lynch the mayor" following power outages during Hurricane Beryl, a comment made in front of about 100 employees while discussing the district's hardships.
At a recent board meeting, Henry Phipps, Humble ISD’s chief education support services officer, expressed his offense at Brown's use of the racially charged term. Attempted to address the issue "at the lowest level" but finding no resolution, Phipps brought his concerns to the public forum. "A cabinet-level administrator used a microphone to inform those in attendance that they were so upset after their house lost power during a hurricane that they wanted to lynch the mayor." They then echoed lynching the mayor by stating, "I wanted to take him out back and hang him from a tree," Phipps stated, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Superintendent Brown, during the Tuesday meeting, publicly apologized for his comments. “I have been reflecting on my conversations with Mr. Phipps and the others, and I want everyone to know that I am very sorry for using such an insensitive word. It was never my intent to offend anyone, and I do apologize for that. I truly, truly do,” Brown conveyed in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle. He went on to reference a photo he had discussed at the March meeting, meant to underline the relative blessings of modern life as compared to the hardships faced by historic settlers.
Despite the apology, the impact of the comment, and the response it garnered among the staff and Board of Trustees remain points of tension. Trustee Martina Lemond-Dixon found the language particularly troubling: "As an African American female, I think it's inappropriate for anyone to use the word 'lynching' in Humble ISD when they are speaking in front of a crowd,” she mentioned during board comments. Trustee Marques Holmes acknowledged Brown's insensitivity but stopped short of labeling him as racist. According to a Houston Chronicle interview, Holmes stated: "I do not believe that Dr. Brown is racist. I can say that, as a Black man, I know what racism looks like," adding that the true scope of the remark's impact can't be measured solely by those who spoke up.
Board President Chris Parker confirmed that once the complaint was received, the board started an investigation with help from the district's legal team. Brown, who became superintendent during a legal conflict with the former superintendent, continues to face criticism from the community and staff. The ongoing comparison of current issues to past struggles still looms over his leadership.
