Trustee apologizes for saying faculty who challenge DEI should be taken to ‘slaughterhouse’

A Kern Community College District Board of Trustees member has apologized for a controversial comment he made at a December board meeting focused on racial concerns among students and faculty over those who challenge diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

“I apologize to anyone who felt threatened or was offended. My intent was to emphasize that the individuals who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting have my full support,” said John Corkins, vice president of the Board of Trustees of the California college district, in a statement to The College Fix provided by the media relations office.

He said the meeting was an emotional one during which “several African-American faculty, students and statewide representatives … bravely shared their feelings of fear based on the actions of a small group of faculty members and their feelings of disappointment in the district for allowing these actions to continue.”