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In the viral footage, Perez made his feelings about Trump and the election results very clear. Speaking to his students, he said:
“This sh-t is not a f—ing game. Does that make sense, everybody? Can’t emphasize this enough. Can you end up in a concentration camp in your lifetime? Yes. Can you end up with no human rights? Yes. Will it happen to you? Most likely not, which is a good thing. But has Donald Trump quoted Hitler? Yes. Yes. Does he embody some of Hitler’s ideas? Yes. Donald Trump won because we have low voter turnout. People didn’t want to vote.”
Perez went on to accuse certain voter demographics—specifically white women, Black men, and Latino men—of failing to support Harris, blaming them for her electoral defeat. He suggested that systemic racism and sexism were at play, claiming that white women, in particular, were responsible for Harris’s loss.
The teacher didn’t hold back in his criticisms of Latino Trump supporters, accusing them of “wanting to be white.” He went on to denounce the “patriarchal oppression” he claimed existed within Latino communities. Perez’s statements about Latino men quickly became a focal point of controversy.
“I know a lot of Latino men that wish they were white, and they’ll never admit it to you. A lot of your fathers, a lot of your uncles, a lot of your grandfathers—God, they want to be white so bad. They never will be. I hate that sh-t. I hate Latino men that oppress the women in their family, their own daughters, and then turn around and vote for men that want to oppress them. I love being Mexican-American. I love my community. But God, I f—ing hate the patriarchy.”
As Perez continued his tirade, he made a series of increasingly extreme comments, casting those who supported Trump as privileged. He claimed that living in California gave students a significant advantage over others in less fortunate parts of the world.
“You get the privilege of not being born with a uterus, so it doesn’t affect you. It’s affecting everyone. I’m so f—ing sorry, guys. You deserve better. Look at me. You deserve better. Do you have privilege because you live here? Yes. You’re not a five-year-old Black girl in Arkansas who’s the only African-American in her class and whose great-grandfather was lynched during the civil rights movement. You have a f— ton of privilege living in this great state.”
He painted a bleak picture of how Trump’s election would negatively affect marginalized groups, invoking emotional images of violence against children from various backgrounds.
Throughout his speech, Perez called Trump derogatory names, including “rapist, draft-dodging, coward, treasonous scum,” while asserting that the president’s victory was a sign of America’s broken political system.
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“Trump said people who fight for the military are stupid cowards and idiots. He got dragged into Vietnam and faked medical paperwork to get out of it. Is that someone you idolize?”
Perez’s comments painted a grim picture of the nation’s future, blaming Trump’s supporters for a range of social and political issues. He expressed disappointment over Trump’s victories in key battleground states, suggesting that voters were driven by biases against women and people of color. He lamented Harris’s inability to win these states despite her progressive policies.
“Why would someone in Wisconsin vote for Joe Biden, a geriatric old Republican racist running as a Democrat? Why would they all of a sudden not vote for Kamala Harris, a young person with no bad record and effective policy for the future? Because she has a vagina. I was about to use a different word. She has a vagina and uterus. And what else? She has melanin. She’s mixed-race. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. But I am not surprised.”
After students reported the incident, the school district issued a statement addressing the teacher’s behavior. Perez’s actions have sparked a widespread outcry, leading to an immediate investigation and his placement on administrative leave.
In a letter sent to Perez’s class, the school principal condemned the teacher’s conduct, noting that political discussions should be conducted with respect and professionalism.
“We want to thank those that came forward to express their concerns as we strive to create a strong and welcoming environment for all,” the letter said. “We do not condone the behavior that was exhibited in class yesterday.”
The district’s superintendent, Alejandro Ruvalcaba, also responded to the controversy, assuring parents that the matter was being handled.
“Personnel matters are highly confidential,” Ruvalcaba wrote in an email to a concerned parent. “Please trust that the matter will be addressed and appropriate action taken as deemed necessary.”
The incident has sparked broader conversations about political bias in the classroom. Many have expressed concerns about teachers using their positions to push political agendas on students, while others argue that it is crucial to foster respectful dialogue around political issues.
As the investigation into Perez’s behavior continues, the debate about the role of politics in education is likely to intensify. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the emotional volatility of the current political climate, and the responsibility that educators have in maintaining a neutral and respectful learning environment for all students.
The controversy surrounding this incident highlights the need for a careful balance between allowing free expression and ensuring that students are not subjected to one-sided political rhetoric in the classroom.
