the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ali Harwin, the controversial Village council campaigner known for race-baiting and anti-Catholic rhetoric, has resurfaced—this time as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair at Somerville Elementary School.
Harwin’s Controversial Past
Harwin first gained notoriety during the Village council elections, where the infamous “Hans Lehman Letter” sparked outrage. The letter, an anti-Catholic diatribe, labeled the then-Mayor and a Council member as Nazis simply for taking photos with the Easter Bunny.
Now, Harwin is back—this time promoting Critical Race Theory (CRT) and DEI initiatives in the Ridgewood school system.
What is Critical Race Theory (CRT)?
CRT is an academic framework that examines the intersection of race, social structures, and law. It asserts that racism is systemic, not just individual, and that existing policies uphold racial disparities. Critics argue that CRT promotes racial division by implying that individuals are inherently biased based on race.
DEI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
DEI programs aim to promote fair treatment and increase representation of historically marginalized groups. However, opponents argue that these initiatives often prioritize hiring based on identity rather than qualifications, leading to reverse discrimination and ideological bias.
Is CRT Influencing School Policies?
Critics of Somerville Elementary’s DEI Committee point to the district’s rising HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) cases as evidence of CRT-inspired policies at play.
- The New Jersey HIB law is being weaponized, according to some parents, favoring accusations over due process.
- The Second Steps Social-Emotional Program, used in elementary schools, has alleged ties to CRT ideology.
- Families struggle to appeal HIB rulings, as decisions are rarely overturned by the Board of Education (BOE) or the state
Somerville Elementary School donotreply@rpsnj.us> Jan, 28, 2025 1:00 pm
Podcast Club: Join Somerville’s First-Ever Podcast Club! Somerville’s HSA and DEI Committee invite you to our first-ever Podcast Club on Friday, February 28, at 9am (room TBD). We’ll discuss Southlake, an eye-opening podcast about how a predominantly white, affluent town attempted to address racism in its schools, only to face intense community backlash (see here for a full description, episode links, and transcripts). Listen while folding laundry, cooking, commuting, or exercising, and then join fellow parents for an engaging discussion. Coffee and breakfast will be provided with enough RSVPs, so email us at somervilledei@gmail.com to let us know you’ll be there!
Somerville’s DEI Podcast Club: More Political Indoctrination?
Somerville Elementary’s DEI Committee is launching a Podcast Club on February 28 to discuss Southlake, a podcast about a wealthy, predominantly white town facing backlash over its anti-racism efforts.
The invitation suggests a strong ideological tilt, raising concerns that DEI programs in schools are pushing political narratives rather than fostering genuine inclusion.
The Bigger Picture: DEI, CRT, and the Future of Education
As Harwin takes on a leadership role in DEI, parents and community members are questioning the true motives behind these programs.
Will Somerville Elementary’s DEI efforts foster inclusive education, or will they become another battleground for ideological indoctrination?
What are your thoughts? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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Hmmm…do all 6 elementary schools have DEI chiefs ?
Is Ridgewood getting all of its Federal Funding cut?
anyone who chooses to be photographed with that old bag left wing wacko Loretta Wienberg should never be considered for any position within our schools.
Oh, look, another inbred psychopath that thinks everyone else is the problem. Shocking.
Home school your children! What’s it going to take?
Ancient Chinese proverb..the tallest nail always finds the hammer.
Is Scarf Lady aware of this nonsense…?
bet it was her idea
Harwin is a bigger crack-pot than Marty Brooks
Wait- the Red Queen?!
The tyrannical queen of Underland who possesses a bloodthirsty personality commonly sentencing people and animals to death for the most ordinary of situations?
She never left?
as a tax payer in Ridgewood , I think anyone who got here involved in the school system should be FIRED immediately
Turning Ridgewood Schools into a FREAK SHOW
DEI perpetuates discrimination. Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence (MEI) fosters equality.
Post of the week !
Is Miss Harwin a teacher at S-ville…..?
Ali is an open wound…like Chuck…
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/karoline-leavitt-humiliates-out-of-touch-chuck-schumer-over-his-mexican-beer-stunt/ar-AA1ypREd?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Somebody wake up these rich nuts. Resistance is futile. DEI has been fired in america except for the RW rich n stupid.
She’s not capable of reading the room…it’s over.
Ridgewood votes lock step with Paterson, that tells you all you need to know
Why on earth would Somerville need a DEI Chair teaching CRT? Are my taxes paying for this fascism?
Are they teaching the kids over the east side this garbage? Christ. They should make The Bell Curve required reading for all junior high kids.
THIS…and your 100 million a year + budget.
Your children are being brain washed as we speak and YOU voted for this?
DEI and CRT?
E I E I O….
Ridgewood has hit rock bottom!
Not yet. A long way to go, sadly.
18 minutes…
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=msnbc+dnc+angry+mob&qs=n&sp=-1&ghc=1&lq=0&pq=msnbc+dnc+angry+mob&sc=0-19&sk=&cvid=488AAE0CACD94C92971056A38E3B8E48&ghsh=0&ghacc=0&ghpl=&ajaxnorecss=1&sid=3ACD12C336BB611A3D8A074137BC602C&jsoncbid=0&ajaxsydconv=1&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dmsnbc%2520dnc%2520angry%2520mob%26qs%3dn%26form%3dQBRE%26sp%3d-1%26ghc%3d1%26lq%3d0%26pq%3dmsnbc%2520dnc%2520angry%2520mob%26sc%3d0-19%26sk%3d%26cvid%3d488AAE0CACD94C92971056A38E3B8E48%26ghsh%3d0%26ghacc%3d0%26ghpl%3d%26ajaxnorecss%3d1%26sid%3d3ACD12C336BB611A3D8A074137BC602C%26format%3dsnrjson%26jsoncbid%3d0%26ajaxsydconv%3d1&mmscn=vwrc&mid=6E308FBAAB25A312FDFB6E308FBAAB25A312FDFB&FORM=WRVORC&ntb=1&msockid=b1b65105e3d911ef841d3bad7ee00887
Graduate of Harvard & Yale law school. No doubt was sent to Ridgewood to cause chaos.
She’s just trying to repair the world.
DEI and Somerville don’t go well together.
Sommerville principal will need to be replaced first of you want to see any diversity there.
BOE and Superintendent need to go! Resign immediately!
Most of that million dollars budget goes the salaries of thr administration, cottage pl, teachers and now this one. Taxes are high and getting higher
Wait, anti-Catholic rhetoric? If that’s what she’s all about, then this berkeley hunt can go F herself – hard!
Let’s get rid of DEI, please.
#MRGA