Tulsa school superintendent says local NAACP chapter does not speak for him.

Tulsa's school superintendent has distanced himself from the Tulsa chapter of N-A-A-C-P, saying the civil rights organization doesn't speak for him.<br><br>Dr. John Thompson released a statement

Friday, January 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's school superintendent has distanced himself from the Tulsa chapter of N-A-A-C-P, saying the civil rights organization doesn't speak for him.

Dr. John Thompson released a statement today after some of its local leaders accused the Tulsa School Board of racism.

On Wednesday, NAACP Tulsa president Ruford Henderson, accused the Tulsa School Board of trying to run Dr. Thompson out of town.

In a written statement supporting Thompson, Henderson used words like "closet Klansman," "uppity black" and "white trash."

Thompson released a statement this afternoon, saying, quote, "There were a number of assertions made by the NAACP with which I disagree. I will communicate those areas of disagreement directly to the NAACP, rather than through the news media."

Henderson says Thompson's disapproval doesn't bother him. "I don't have any fault with that,what I did was mine. And I stand ready to defend what I said."

Thompson's statement also read, "I deplore the language which has been used to describe certain individuals in our community by the NAACP, the kind of rhetoric has no place in civil discourse.

Thompson didn't say to what language he was referring but what Henderson said Thursday to KRMG radio morning host John Erling has caused some controversy:
(John Erling, KRMG Radio):"Why is the NAACP involved in these contract negotiations.?"
(Ruford Henderson, Tulsa NAACP):"We aren't involved. Why are you involved?"

The interview continued:
(Henderson):"You know it. You play that game. Here you are, a little jewish guy, using white folks, who have racial mentalities, to influence how your network makes money."

Friday evening, Erling told KOTV: "I couldn't believe it, it just blew me back. I decided I could just sit and listen and I was disappointed."

Erling ends his broadcast each day saying "shalom", which means peace.
Erling is not Jewish.

Perry Simons is a member of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa: "When I first heard about it , my first response was it just goes to show how deep seeded racism is in our society, coming from all different sides."

After reflecting on his commments, Henderson admits he went too far. "No it's not right for me to do that. As the head of the NAACP I have to tell the black community, I apologize to them. But, I'm just fed up with the rhetoric we are getting from the FBI, the Justice Department, the news media on addressing racism."

Members of the school board say they've worked with sincerity and integrity on Thompson's contract, a contract whose laguage has sparked concern about the NAACP'S language about it.

Henderson says he also apologizes to Superintendent Thompson and says he regrets drawing Thompson into this dispute.