St Peter's Lutheran Early Childhood Ctr

I had one of the most unprofessional and disturbing experiences at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church/School. I live out of state and simply wanted to stop by and see my niece before I left Detroit. From the moment I walked in, both secretaries were extremely rude and dismissive. What shocked me most was when Andrea, one of the secretaries, walked over and said to me: “If you didn’t look so suspicious, we may have let you in.” She then tried to brush it off as a joke. As a Black man, I found this comment not only inappropriate but racially insensitive and discriminatory. This was not a harmless “joke” — it was a direct insult rooted in bias. What makes this even more troubling is that children of color attend this school. If this is how Andrea felt comfortable speaking to me, what is she saying to them? That thought is beyond unsettling. Schools and churches are supposed to be safe, welcoming spaces, not places where racial profiling and discrimination are tolerated, let alone laughed about. I will not take this situation lightly. It will be addressed and escalated as much as necessary to ensure that what happened to me is not swept under the rug. No parent should have to worry about their child being exposed to this kind of treatment. St. Peter’s needs to take a serious look at its staff and what message they are sending to the community they claim to serve.