NAACP calls campaign text for Missouri House race a ‘racist dog whistle.’ Here’s why

With Election Day a week away, the Kansas City and Missouri chapters of the NAACP are raising “deep concern” over a campaign text message making its way around Platte County. In a Monday statement, the groups describe the message as “race-based fear-mongering” similar to decades-old rhetoric used to promote school segregation.

The text conflates a redistricting plan in the works for Park Hill schools with a Missouri House race, suggesting that one of the legislative candidates would bus kids away from their neighborhoods. State lawmakers have no say in school district boundary lines or bussing.

The text claims that Jamie Johnson, who is currently running to keep her seat representing Missouri House District 12, is pushing “a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) agenda” in the school district.

“They’ve divided Riss Lake, bussing half the kids 8 miles away to Line Creek,” the text said. “They’re going to do it to your neighborhood next. This election, let’s say NO to Jamie Johnson.”

The NAACP chapters released a statement Monday afternoon condemning the text for its “coded racist messaging” and said it’s a “deliberate throwback to the desegregation era.”

“This is a racist dog whistle designed to dredge up unfounded fears in white populations,” the organization said in a statement. “It is particularly egregious in light of the need Park Hill School District has to unify its students and parents.”

The NAACP has also called for Johnson’s opponent Mike Jones, his campaign and any organization supporting his campaign to issue a public apology.

“I had hoped for a contest based on judgment of character and the merit of the work I’ve done on behalf of our community,” Johnson said. “Our district deserves better, and I remain committed to my efforts to build a stronger community in District 12 with all of our neighbors.”

Jones, who is an alumnus of the Park Hill School District, said the text did not come from his campaign. However, he said the content of the text message does seem to be accurate to him, based on a Facebook post from a school board member that tagged Rep. Johnson at the Missouri NAACP’s state conference last month.

The post mentioned Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging work happening in Park Hill schools, but it did not mention the redistricting plan.

The school district’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging work mentioned in the post is part of Park Hill’s direct response to when its students went viral in 2021 for circulating a racist petition calling for the return of slavery.

Park Hill Schools is taking a look at its boundaries for elementary and middle schools as it prepares to open a 12th elementary school to accommodate its growing enrollment. Parents in the Riss Lake area have attended the past few Park Hill School Board meetings asking the board to not divide their close-knit community.

Kelly Wachel, the chief communications officer for Park Hill Schools, said the district has gone through several rounds of scenarios and community feedback. The district recently released a new round of scenarios in which the Riss Lake community remains together.

The district is currently working through six more scenarios based on further feedback. New scenario updates will be presented at the Board of Education meeting next month.

The redistricting is expected to be completed by December.

Residents of Platte County can cast their votes for the District 12 Missouri House race until November 5. To find your polling location, you can check your voting registration.