A mum or dad has condemned a North Carolina college after her son and his fellow black college students had been “sold” at a mock “slave auction” by their white classmates, in line with reviews.
Ashley Palmer complained on Facebook in regards to the surprising incident on the Ok-8 J.S. Waters School in Goldston, close to Raleigh, which has 195 college students, 68 p.c of whom are white, the News & Observer reported.
“Our son experienced a slave auction by his classmates and when he opened up we were made aware that this type of stuff seems to be the norm so much that he didn’t think it was worth sharing,” Palmer, who’s white, wrote on March 4.
“His friend ‘went for $350’ and another student was the Slavemaster because he ‘knew how to handle them,’” she wrote. “We even have a video of students harmonizing the N word. Since when were children so blatantly racist? Why is this culture acceptable?”
Palmer added: “Parents teach your kids that this behavior isn’t OK Teach them also that SILENCE IS COMPLICITY! Laughter is even worse!”
The mom was reportedly additional infuriated when she discovered that these concerned had solely obtained a one-day suspension for the abhorrent act, which sparked outrage in the neighborhood.
A bunch referred to as Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity mentioned in a press launch Monday that the public sale concerned center college college students and occurred “in the presence of staff and faculty, and while being filmed,” in line with the paper.
On Monday, Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson apologized for the incident and ordered quick motion to stop comparable actions from taking place once more.
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“I want to offer an apology … to every single student who has ever felt unsafe while in our care, to every student who has ever felt demeaned, disrespected or marginalized because of their race, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion or disability,” Jackson mentioned, the Daily Beast reported.
“In Chatham County schools, we proudly boast that diversity is our strength, and moving forward it will be our intentional focus to ensure that this celebration includes everyone,” he mentioned.
“Actions such as these, they just do not reflect who we are as a school system and will not be tolerated. Those who participate in acts that demean any person are acting outside the values of our school system and will be held accountable using every means at our disposal,” Jackson continued.
“As painful as it has been to hear some of these accounts, I want to thank those who exercised the courage to step forward and speak their truth. It is now our responsibility to do the things all students need to be the true beneficiaries of the many wonderful programs and opportunities we have to offer in our school system,” he added, according to the Daily Beast.
During public feedback on the Monday assembly, Christy Wagner, a mum or dad of one of many “sold” black college students, made an emotional plea to the board.
“The reality is these acts of racism are not only happening here in Chatham County but across North Carolina and across the country,” she mentioned, the News & Observer reported.
“More should be done around addressing racism in schools, because no parent should have to stand here after hearing their son was sold in a slave trade at school,” she mentioned.
“I’ve never thought in a million years I would be standing here talking about my son experiencing racism in middle school … This moment in my son’s early life has already made him question playing a sport he loves with his friends. I pray this does not impact him mentally and socially going forward,” Wagner added.
