It's Dee Thompson

10/20/2026

Your involvement could make all the difference. Stay focused!

10/19/2026

Let’s talk about RED FLAGS in school communities!

10/16/2026

Be sure to make your call for Nolan Xavier Wells

Learn how to advocate for justice for Nolan Wells through public channels and the U.S. Department of Justice. Join the cause.

10/12/2026

Are you in or around the Montclair, NJ area? Visiting the area or want to connect with people in the area? Just curious about Montclair? Follow my new page My Montclair Opinion where you'll join me for my thoughts, observations, and perspectives on Montclair’s culture, community, and the issues affecting us.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61595334266760

My Montclair Opinion is a page by Dee Thompson. My thoughts, observations, and perspectives on Montclair’s culture, community, and the issues affecting us.

Rules: respectfully disagree, no personal attacks or threats. Details in the pinned post.

10/12/2026

Can you forgive someone for using racial slurs if they’re supposed to be your friend?

Imagine finding out that someone you considered a friend has not only used racial slurs but has also engaged in disrespectful acts toward people who share your race or ethnicity.

Now imagine that the apology only comes after you catch them in the act. Would you still consider that person a friend? Would an apology be enough to repair the damage? And does forgiveness mean you have to continue the relationship?

I believe there’s a difference between making a mistake and revealing a mindset that directly conflicts with who you are and what you stand for. There’s also a difference between someone who takes genuine accountability for their actions and someone who apologizes because they’ve been caught.

Forgiveness is one thing. Trust is another. Friendship is something else entirely.

You can forgive someone and still decide they no longer deserve access to you, your life, or your trust.

So, let’s talk about it: Can you truly maintain a friendship with someone who has demonstrated disrespect toward your race or ethnicity? Or does discovering who they really are change everything?

10/12/2026

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve watched a group of people band together to promote a false narrative. Some will try to do whatever it takes to keep the truth from coming to light.

10/12/2026

The case has brought me back to my own experience as a Black woman who served in PTA leadership at a school in NJ.

I see structural similarities because both situations raise questions about how narratives take hold, whose voices are believed, and what happens when people fail to examine the evidence. When those that know the truth, stand complicit in their silence.

My story involves racism, false information, media misinformation, lies, and more.

Watch the Performative Allyship series on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/allyshipseries

Much respect to Ben Crump and everyone supporting Nolan Wells and his family in finding out the truth while in the midst of what appears to be a collective effort to keep the truth from the public.

10/11/2026

There are some things that just stick with you....

10/11/2026

Not everyone seeking access to a space is seeking to serve the community. And that’s a conversation we need to be willing to have.

Sometimes, the desire for access is more about influence, visibility, personal connections, or proximity to power than it is about making a meaningful contribution. The problem begins when we stop asking questions because someone is well-connected, well-liked, or has the right relationships.

And when it comes to our schools, we cannot afford to be careless about who we welcome into our spaces and why.

🚩 When we turn a blind eye to past behaviors, dismiss legitimate concerns, or prioritize relationships over accountability, we risk creating an environment where harmful patterns can repeat themselves. The consequences may not be immediately visible, but the impact on students, families, educators, and the broader school community can be significant.

This isn't about saying people cannot grow, change, or deserve a second chance. It's about understanding that trust must be earned, accountability matters, and meaningful change requires more than a polished image or the right connections.

What concerns me most is when people who have witnessed harmful behavior choose silence because speaking up might disrupt their relationships, challenge their alliances, or threaten someone's access.

Silence can protect reputations while leaving communities vulnerable.

Our schools should never become spaces where influence outweighs integrity, relationships outweigh responsibility, or access is granted without thoughtful consideration of the potential impact.

We have a responsibility to ask the difficult questions:

💭 Why does this person want access to this space?

💭 Who actually benefits from their presence?

💭 Have past concerns been appropriately addressed?

💭 Are we prioritizing the well-being of the community—or protecting someone's interests?

Access is a privilege, not an entitlement. And when the well-being of a school community is at stake, turning a blind eye is not neutrality. It is a choice.

Our children and families deserve leaders who are willing to look beyond appearances, ask uncomfortable questions, and put the community first.

Accountability must mean something—even when it involves people we know, like, or have chosen to trust.

10/07/2026

There can be many twists and turns that cause confusion when trying to obtain access to assistance with social services. Janel F. Johnston of N The Meantime breaks it all down in this extremely insightful conversation. Watch and follow on YouTube at https://bit.ly/accessnthemeantime