Recently, an Olathe North teacher was fired for using the n-word at a school function. While it was an acute incident which led to the teacher’s termination, one acquaintance of mine gave testimony to another incident with the teacher from 2005.
Recounting this incident Aj and I discuss the trouble with white solidarity, what it meant for Aj to grow up gay, and teacher accountability.
A.J. Hopes-Pflumm graduated from Wichita State University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. He has performed in numerous works choreographed by Peter Chu, Helen Simoneau, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Janice Garrett, Cheyla Clawson, Rachel Boyajian, Denise Celestin, Sabrina Vasquez, Nick Johnson, Aaron McGloin, and Sam Householder and has toured these works both nationally and internationally. He has been a guest artist/instructor for many Kansas-based companies including Ballet Wichita, Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre, Mid-America Dance Theatre, Alithea Creations, and Clawson Dances. A.J. has also taught classes at Gibney Dance and various other NYC studios, as well as guides young students through the creation process. He currently teaches at City in Motion and has led auditions for Dance Masters of America. In 2015, he attended Springboard Danse Montreal. In addition to performing, A.J. has created works for WCDT, MADT, American Liberty Ballet, and Ballet Wichita, and works on self-produced material with his husband, Wil Hopes-Pflumm, under CaptiveFlow Dance. A.J.’s last work was ‘Untitled Project’, performed in front of the Olathe Courthouse. He currently works as the School Director of City in Motion.
KC Star, May 7, 2021 – Olathe Baseball coach accused of using racial slur toward Black player
KCUR, May 10, 2021 – Olathe North Baseball Coach Fired For Using Racial Slur Toward Team’s Only Black Player
KSHB, May 10, 2021 – Olathe North baseball coach Pete Flood reacts to being fired for racial slur
