Dear Clay County Schools,

My name is Westley Mullins. I am a CCHS graduate from 2007 who just graduated from WVU School of Medicine this year. I am urging you all to protect the next generation. If what the WCHS article is correct about what this bus driver did, that is truly horrific. One of Clay County’s biggest problems is the isolation. The comments made are clearly from someone who has never had a true interaction with someone from a different life perspective. This youth, who I know nothing about, is devastated. This is an individual who was born in an area that does not accept them for who they are. I have three degrees and I can tell you that this is not a choice. This individual was born this way. They are currently growing up resenting the place they should be calling home. This person will eventually graduate and leave the county. They could have been someone who could have helped Clay during its most desperate time.

I am currently in my last stage of training and the longer I am away from home the harder it is for me to go back. When I see stories like this, it makes me really question whether or not I want to bring my two half Chinese children to Clay schools. When I was going on interviews for my first physician job in other states, I was asked about the Clay County official who referred to the first lady as an ape. I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I even mentioned Clay County in my application.

The solution I am urging you all to do, is please have assemblies or homeroom activities teaching the next generation that there are other people out there who have different ways of life and ideals, but are still people. People who have feelings. People who want the same things we all want whether that be a loving family, caring friends, a full belly, or a warm bed to sleep in.

Dr. Mullins