A slew of racist incidents at a Wisconsin high school has prompted the Department of Justice to implement a racial sensitivity program.
The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reports that after Westosha Central High School saw an onslaught of racist behaviors, including a student who dressed as a Ku Klux Klansman for a presentation and numerous racial-driving bullying incidents, school district administrators made the decision to call upon the DOJ.
@RapedAtSpelman Issues Statement About Her Decision to Meet with School Administrators
“We are moving forward with specific actions for developing greater understandings regarding racial sensitivity on top of understanding and acceptance for all,” said Principal Lisa Albrecht said in a statement.
Starting next year, DOJ officials will offer SPIRIT training, in which students, faculty and parents work together to identify and solve any issues.
Multiple students have said that they have been the victim of bullying because of their race. Biracial Mynah Simmons told the Journal Sentinel that she came to class one day to see the n-word etched into her desk. Students had also harassed her on social media and had threatened to lynch her.
Troubling Video Shows Teacher’s Aide Slamming Student to the Ground
Another Black student had opted to finish the school year with online classes after endless bullying had kept him from attending school.
“He says, ‘Mom, I’m just ready to give up,’” Summer Hutchinson told the Journal Sentinel. “He just doesn’t care anymore.”
Though details of the program have not been released, Simmons said that she had been told that the school will launch a hotline where students can report incidents. Administrators are also reportedly considering ticketing bullies.