Liza Sejkora is out of a job today, not because she got fired, but because she took her actual feelings about Kobe Bryant and placed them online for all to see.
The Camas High School principal officially quite her job after backlash over a post she made on Facebook about the death of Kobe Bryant. She was already placed on administrative leave earlier in the week, and that after threats had been made towards her.
Sejkora wrote on Facebook, “Not gonna lie. Seems to me that karma caught up with a rapist today.”
She was referencing the 2003 rape accusations against Kobe that he was never convicted of, but would ultimately settle out of court for an unknown monetary gain to the alleged victim.
On Friday, Sejkora said in a statement:
“You may be aware that a copy of a social media post I made on my personal Facebook page is circulating digitally in our community. Today, I apologized to my staff, and now I apologize to you.
On January 26 after news broke Kobe Bryant’s death, I made a comment to my private social media which was a personal, visceral reaction. I want to apologize for suggesting that a person’s death is deserved. It was inappropriate and tasteless. Further, I apologize for the disruption it caused to our learning environment today.
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In education, we remind students to think before they post online, especially when feelings are inflamed. We also teach our students about context. My emotions and past experiences got the best of me in that moment. We also teach our students that what we share online has permanency.
While what I wrote was posted on a private Facebook account to people who are my friends and was quickly removed, I acknowledge that private does not always mean private. I love being principal at Camas High School. We have tremendous students, staff, and community. I’ve learned an important lesson and I hope that I can earn your trust back.”
