Iowa school officials are under scrutiny after an accidental circulation of a World War II-era racist Nazi slogan in their daily communications to parents and school staff. 

The Indianola school district issued a morning announcement to parents, featuring a quote attributed to Heinrich Himmler, the notorious figure behind the Holocaust. The incident has sparked controversy, prompting an apology from the local superintendent.

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Racist Nazi Slogan

Parents of middle schoolers in Indianola were taken aback when they received an email on Monday containing the unsettling quote, "My honor is my loyalty." Little did they know, this line served as a motto for the Waffen SS in Nazi Germany, symbolizing loyalty to Adolf Hitler. The use of such a slogan raised concerns about the oversight and awareness within the school district.

The Anti-Defamation League highlights the historical significance of this phrase and its association with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups. The quote, attributed to Heinrich Himmler, continues to be adopted by these extremist factions.

Superintendent Ted Ihns promptly addressed the issue, expressing his regret and acknowledging the lack of awareness among staff regarding the quote's origin. 

In an email sent to families, Ihns stated, "The staff member didn't realize that the quote was from a highly inappropriate source. I first want to apologize for the oversight." He reassured parents that steps would be taken to ensure a thorough vetting process for future quotes, emphasizing that the use of Himmler's words was entirely unintentional.

Who was Heinrich Himmler?

Himmler was one of the primary architects of the Holocaust. His belief in the racist Nazi ideology justified the murder of millions of victims. 

Himmler ordered thousands of Gypsies and Jews to be sent to concentration camps and by 1942, ordered all Romani sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Himmler was ultimately responsible for ordering the murder of around six million Jews, as well as an estimated 500,000 Romani people, and others.

The Indianola School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.