A mother and activist who criticized a “social justice coordinator” successfully defended herself against a defamation lawsuit brought by a former English teacher. Mary MacCudden accused Scarlett Johnson of damaging her reputation after Johnson posted critical messages on social media in October 2022 about MacCudden’s role at the Mequon-Thiensville School District in Wisconsin.
Johnson’s posts included questions like, “Why the hell am I paying for a ‘Social Justice Coordinator’ in my school district?” and described diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioners as “woke lunatics” who “bully” parents into “silence and compliance.” She shared a screenshot of MacCudden’s LinkedIn profile, labeling her as part of a trend of “White women w/ a god complex.”
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, representing Johnson, argued that her comments were protected under the First Amendment as “run-of-the-mill social media posts.” The Wisconsin Court of Appeals agreed, stating Johnson’s statements did not meet defamation standards. The ruling noted some terms used were subjective or lacked clear definitions.
Johnson told Fox News Digital the lawsuit aimed to silence parents opposing diversity initiatives. “I had to stand up because this would never stop,” she said. Luke Berg of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty praised the decision, calling the case “meritless.” MacCudden’s attorney did not comment.
