A mother and activist who criticized a “social justice coordinator” successfully defended herself against a defamation lawsuit filed by a former English teacher. Mary MacCudden accused Scarlett Johnson of damaging her reputation after Johnson posted critical social media remarks about MacCudden’s role at the Mequon-Thiensville School District in Wisconsin in October 2022.
Johnson questioned the necessity of the position, writing: “Why the hell am I paying for a ‘Social Justice Coordinator’ in my school district?” She included a screenshot of MacCudden’s LinkedIn profile and labeled diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioners as “woke lunatics” who “bully” parents “into silence and compliance.”
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled in Johnson’s favor, stating her statements did not constitute defamation. The court noted that some terms used were subjective or lacked clear definitions. Johnson claimed the lawsuit aimed to suppress parental criticism of diversity initiatives, saying, “I had to stand up because this would never stop.”
Representatives for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty praised the decision, emphasizing the right to question government policies. MacCudden’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
