Teacher wears controversial Columbus Day sweatshirt to spark discussion

WPVI logo
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
'Columbus was a murderer,' Detroit teacher’s Columbus Day sweatshirt sparks controversy
A teacher in Michigan used Columbus Day to make a personal statement about the explorer.

DETROIT, Michigan -- A Michigan teacher used Columbus Day to make a personal statement about the explorer and spark a discussion.



Emma Howland-Bolton's sweatshirt read, "Columbus was a murderer."



Bolton said her goal was to have a conversation with her students about how there are different perspectives and narratives.



RELATED: Statues of Christopher Columbus vandalized amid controversy over the holiday



The school wasn't happy about how she went about it and asked her to take the sweatshirt off.



The school said the lesson plan was not approved.



Ultimately, Bolton faced no discipline.



RELATED: DC joins over 100 cities in changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.