A New Mexico father is adamant about getting his son's teacher fired after the teacher allegedly told his autistic teen that he can't dress up as Santa, because in the teacher's words, "Santa Claus is white," KRQE News 13 reports.
The story of the Cleveland High School teacher calling out freshman Christopher Rougier for wearing a Santa Claus costume to school made national headlines, but although the Rio Rancho School District says that the teacher has been disciplined, he still works at the high school where Rougier attends.
Christopher Roguier wore a Santa hat and fake beard to school when his teacher allegedly embarassed him with the comment, "Santa Claus is white, what're you doing wearing that?" Outraged, Rougier's father, Michael Rougier, called the school principal, having heard about the incident from another parent.
Michael Rougier the local news station that his son's holiday spirit has been all but ruined by his teacher's racist remark.
"Today, he chose to go to Sunday school instead of put the tree up," Michael Rougier said, blaming the Cleveland High School teacher for "his son's lack of Christmas spirit."
"This is racial in its context and that's my issue right now," he told KRQE News. "I don't believe that this man needs to be teaching children. My children cannot fight for themselves. I'm that person that has to do it. I will use any and all tools necessary at my disposal to do that."
Christopher Roguier has been taken out of the classroom of the teacher who made the racist remark, and his father says he only wants to hear from the school district moving forward, not the principal or the teacher. Meanwhile, the school district claims that the teacher has been "disciplined appropriately" for his comment, made to apologize to Christopher Roguier and his family, The Associated Press reports.
