Racist Incidents at High School Events Are Raising Alarms Across the Country
A troubling string of reported racist incidents at schools across the country is raising new questions about how districts handle discrimination. In Florida, Georgia and Illinois, Black students have been confronted with alleged racial slurs and racist behavior at athletic events. Now, some communities are demanding more than statements of condemnation from school officials.
In Nassau County, Florida, the school district said it is investigating what it called “racially offensive behavior” during a volleyball match, according to News4JAX. A parent at Andrew Jackson High School told the outlet that several students from an opposing team held up a Black baby doll “while making racial slurs, chants, and gestures” directed towards the players.
“It was disrespect; it displayed racial discrimination, intimidation and it also displayed that this sort of behavior that they’re doing has been the normal for them,” the parent told News4JAX.
The incident has drawn significant attention as officials work to determine exactly what happened and who was involved. But in the neighboring state of Georgia, Atlanta Public Schools is facing backlash following a similar incident.
RELATED: Mother Sues School District After Sons Targeted by Racist Harassment
That situation went down at a football game between Maynard Jackson High School and Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Georgia. WSB-TV reported that racial slurs were yelled at members of Maynard Jackson’s marching band as they were leaving the event. Atlanta Public Schools is investigating the allegations.
Jefferson City Schools is also investigating.
In a statement shared by WSB-TV, the school wrote, “Jefferson High School administrators are working closely with Maynard Jackson High School officials. We are carefully investigating and gathering information to determine the specifics and appropriate next steps. We take these matters seriously.”
In Illinois, students responded to alleged racism with something more visible than a simple investigation.
At Lincoln-Way East High School outside Chicago, students planned a walkout following a series of alleged racist incidents. ABC 7 Chicago reported that one of the incidents involved a football game against Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where students were accused of making monkey gestures and noises toward members of the opposing school community.
ABC 7 also reported allegations from a cross-country meet, including claims that racist noises were directed at Black athletes and that a coach referred to Black athletes as “monkeys.”
Whether it’s happening in the bleachers, outside a stadium or during a school competition, racial harassment can have a real impact on students, specifically Black students.
Black students represent only about 15% of students enrolled in K-12 schools nationwide, yet they comprise approximately 35% to 37% of students who experience race-based targeting, the Atlanta Voice reported.
While schools can’t prevent every offensive comment that someone might make, they can, however, make it clear that racism isn’t about school spirit, isn’t harmless trash talk and isn’t something students should be expected to simply shrug off.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump called out the alleged discrimination on social media. “We cannot allow racism to rob young athletes of the joy of simply playing the sport they love,” he wrote following the Nassau County incident.
The incidents in Florida, Georgia and Illinois remain under investigation, with school officials working to determine what occurred and whether disciplinary action is warranted.
