For the past several years, no voice has been louder speaking out against the errant ways of Denver Public Schools than Brandon Pryor.
A DPS parent and alum, Pryor is well known for getting right up in the face of anyone he believes is not serving the children of Denver well.
Pryor has his critics, to be sure; people who believe a more diplomatic approach yields better results. But think of Pryor as a kind of Old Testament prophet. One description of Old Testament prophets says they “were highly sensitive to dishonesty and sin, often reacting strongly to injustice or deception. They displayed great boldness and were willing to confront kings, leaders, and entire nations with messages of judgment or calls to repentance. They were not afraid to stand alone for the truth. Prophets did not shy away from using blunt, confrontational words… their harsh tone was a response to persistent sin, idolatry, and injustice.”
He recently launched a new advocacy group with community partners: Parents Demand Justice. “We are parents of Black and Latino children, parents of children with disabilities, and allies who demand just service for our children in the Denver Public Schools. We demand an educationally just school system. We demand it NOW,” language on the website says.
Pryor spoke to Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb about the current state of DPS, the reign of Superintendent Alex Marrero, and why he offers no apologies for his confrontational style.
