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School board member calls teen 'hot'—outrage erupts over sexist remark

Hannah Campbell spoke up—then a board member crossed the line. His 'joke' left her humiliated, and now thousands demand justice.

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding placards with text on...
The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding placards with text on them. Some of the people are wearing caps and bags, while others are holding cameras. There are trees and plants in the foreground, and the sky is visible in the background. The scene is taking place at the University of Michigan's campus, where the students are protesting against the school.

School board member calls teen 'hot'—outrage erupts over sexist remark

A school board member in the US has faced backlash after making an inappropriate comment to a student during a public meeting. Keith Ervin called 17-year-old Hannah Campbell 'hot' and asked where she attended school. His remark sparked outrage, leading to calls for his removal.

The incident took place at a school board meeting where Hannah Campbell was speaking. After her presentation, Ervin approached her, hugged her, and said she was 'hot'. Some board members reportedly laughed in response.

Campbell later described the comment as unwelcome, sexist, and derogatory. Ervin defended himself, claiming his remark was about her presentation skills, not her appearance. Despite the controversy, the school board issued a censure but allowed him to remain in his position. Frustrated by the decision, Campbell criticised the board, calling its members 'cowards' for failing to take stronger action. She also stated she does not forgive them for letting Ervin keep his role. A Change.org petition demanding his removal has since gathered 6,775 signatures and over 360 comments. Campbell expressed deep hurt over the board’s inaction, saying it felt just as harmful as Ervin’s original behaviour.

The school board has not taken further steps beyond the censure. The petition to remove Ervin remains active, reflecting ongoing public dissatisfaction. Campbell’s criticism of the board’s handling of the situation continues to draw attention.

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