Posts tagged with "discrimination"

Tishomingo Public Schools Cancels Homecoming Amid Racism Storm

Tishomingo Public Schools in Oklahoma has canceled its homecoming activities, including the football game, after a photo of six high school students displaying a racial slur surfaced on social media.

The image, which depicts the students wearing Scrabble tiles to spell out the slur, quickly went viral, prompting widespread condemnation. Superintendent Brandon Moreland issued an apology and condemned the students’ actions, stating that “racism and discrimination, in any form, will never be tolerated or accepted on our campus.”

The school district also cited “safety and security concerns” as a reason for canceling the homecoming events. This decision came after discussions with local law enforcement, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

While some community members on social media claimed the photo was taken as part of a spirit week activity where students were encouraged to wear Scrabble tiles, Moreland did not confirm or deny this in his statement. The school district has not yet responded to requests for further comment.

Moreland emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. He stated that the school administration took swift disciplinary action and contacted the parents of the students involved. However, due to privacy laws, the specific details of the disciplinary measures remain confidential.

This incident has sparked outrage and disappointment within the Tishomingo community. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of racism and the importance of promoting respect and understanding in educational institutions.


A History of Racism in American Schools: A Legacy of Segregation and Discrimination

The history of racism in American schools is a long and complex one, deeply intertwined with the broader history of racial injustice in the United States. From the era of slavery through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, schools have often been battlegrounds for racial equality, reflecting and reinforcing societal prejudices while also serving as crucibles for social change.

Early Segregation and Discrimination:

  • Pre-Civil War: During the era of slavery, Black people were denied access to education. In the North, where slavery was not openly celebrated, Black schools were segregated and underfunded.
  • Post-Reconstruction: Following the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law, but de facto segregation remained deeply entrenched in American schools. Black schools were often inferior to white schools, with fewer resources and less qualified teachers.
  • Jim Crow Laws: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Jim Crow laws, which legalized racial segregation in all aspects of life, including education. Black students were forced to attend separate schools, which were often overcrowded and dilapidated.

The Civil Rights Movement and Beyond:

  • Brown v. Board of Education: The landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision marked a turning point in the fight for racial equality in education, but the process of desegregation was slow and often met with resistance.
  • Desegregation Efforts: The decades following Brown v. Board saw a gradual increase in school desegregation, but progress was often uneven. Many districts resisted desegregation, and Black students continued to face discrimination and inequality in schools.
  • Contemporary Challenges: While significant progress has been made in desegregating schools, racial disparities in education persist. Black students are more likely to attend high-poverty schools with fewer resources and less qualified, and predominantly white teachers. They are also more likely to be suspended or expelled from school.

The History of Racism:

The history of racism in American schools continues to have a profound impact on Black students. They are more likely to experience discrimination, harassment, and microaggressions, which can negatively impact their academic performance and mental health. Addressing these issues requires a multi-pronged approach, including:

  • Implicit Bias Training: Educators need to be aware of their own implicit biases and how they can impact their interactions with students.
  • Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Teachers should use teaching methods that are inclusive of all students’ cultures and backgrounds.
  • Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Schools need to hire more Black educators and create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

The fight for racial equality in American schools is far from over. By acknowledging the history of racism in education and taking steps to address its ongoing terror, we can create a more just and equitable learning environment for all students, and severely punish those who participate in racial hatred.

Additional Resources:

Whites Only: DOJ Fines Virginia Tech Company For Racial Hiring Practice

 

“Whites Only” signs and racial preferences for American jobs, neighborhoods and even voting were a ubiquitous norm and symbol of racial segregation in the United States for much of the 20th century. These signs and racial preferences were used to restrict access to public facilities, such as schools, parks, and swimming pools, as well as private businesses, such as restaurants and hotels. These signs and racial preferences were a stark reminder of the culture of racism, the second-class status of African Americans and other people of color. Although much progress has been made for a better America, a recent job posting seeking “white” candidates offered evidence of the systemic racism that remains in our society, and a jarring reminder of a country still under construction to bring about sincere change. 

The origins of “Whites Only” signs and clearly noted preferences can be traced back to the Jim Crow era, which began in the late 19th century and lasted until the mid-20th century. However, racism and discrimination is part of the bedrock of America. Still, during this time, southern states passed a series of laws that established a system of racial segregation. These laws mandated the separation of Blacks and whites in all aspects of public life, including education, transportation, and housing.

“By the 1890s the expression “Jim Crow” was being used to describe laws and customs aimed at segregating African Americans and others. These laws were intended to restrict social contact between whites and other groups and to limit the freedom and opportunity of people of color.” – Smithsonian National Museum of American History

“Whites Only” signs and preferences were a key part of the Jim Crow system. They were used to enforce segregation and to remind African Americans of their inferior status. These signs and racial preference were often placed in prominent locations, such as the entrances of public buildings and businesses, including the “whites only” job posting from Arthur Grand that led to the Justice Department’s “determination that the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by posting a discriminatory job advertisement in March 2023 that restricted eligible candidates to ‘only US Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].’ (brackets in original). The Labor Department’s agreement resolves its determination that Arthur Grand violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.”

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s challenged the Jim Crow system and led to the passage of landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws outlawed segregation and discrimination based on race. As a result, “Whites Only” signs and racial preferences for social access, housing and jobs began to disappear from public places.

Today,  open use of “Whites Only” signs and preferences are supposed to be a relic of the past. But they’re not, as racism remains an insidious evil that operates in the dark as Arthur Grand reminds. Systemic racism in hiring is real and active. Racism and open discrimination, once rampant in the United States, still runs amuck. These discrimination practices that some corporations and institutions still protect and uphold remain a stain and part of the fabric of the nation. Nonetheless, Arthur Grand’s discrimination practices and DOJ’s investigation and subsequent response is a reminder of the on-going struggle for civil rights, the progress that has been made and continues to be made.