California School Sued Over Allegations of Racist Abuse of Black Student
California School Sued Over Allegations of Racist Abuse of Black Student
Lawsuit Alleges Racist Abuse of Black Student in California School
February 17, 2023 - A family in California is suing the El Dorado Unified High School District and several staff members over allegations of racist bullying of a student who is half-Black. The student's mother, Ashley Lewis, claims that her daughter has been the target of racist taunts and abuse, including being called the “N” word and physically attacked. The family has accused the school district of ignoring repeated complaints and failing to protect the student.
Every day that Ashley Lewis sends her 16-year-old daughter off to high school she reports a feeling of the same sense of dread.
“I feel like I’m just sending her to prison, almost like I’m just waiting for her to hit the prison yard and hope that she has the one good person to have her back, or she’s going to get attacked,” she said.
Lewis, 36, is a single mother of two who moved to El Dorado County from North Highlands in 2012. She had hoped the change would lead to a better life for her and her children.
Instead, Lewis said her daughter – who is half Black – has been subjected to racist taunts and abuse, called the “N” word and harassed since the first grade.
In elementary school, the children singled her out for a game they called “tag,” one where any children who tagged her daughter “turned black” as part of the game, Lewis said.
“She didn’t understand, and she’d say, ‘No, mom, it’s like tag,’” said Lewis, who is White. “’When I touched them, they freeze and they have to turn black.’ And so that was kind of the first little thing that we started to catch onto.”
In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Sacramento, Lewis and her daughter accuse the school district, Superintendent Ronald Carruth, Assistant Superintendent Tony DeVille, school Principal Elizabeth Sisson, and Assistant Principal Justin Gatling of negligence and deliberate indifference. The suit alleges that the school officials failed to protect the student from harassment and ignored Lewis’ repeated requests for help.
The family claims that the bullying began in the first grade and continued into high school, where Lewis says her daughter was dragged by her hair, punched, kicked, and choked. Some of the incidents were recorded and posted on social media. According to the lawsuit, Lewis and her daughter repeatedly complained to school officials, but their complaints were “brushed aside.” In November 2021, the student was attacked by four girls who used racist slurs against her, and no disciplinary action was taken against the attackers.
The school district has denied the allegations, saying that they are “untrue” and that they are committed to providing equal opportunities for all students. The district’s website prohibits any “discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry” or sexual orientation.
However, the family’s attorney, Alexis Galindo, argues that the school district’s policies are not enough. “It is the responsibility of the school district to create an environment where students are safe from harassment and discrimination,” Galindo said in a statement. “When schools fail to protect students from such harm, they are not only violating the law, but they are also failing in their moral obligation to their students.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with some residents calling for action to address racism in the school district. The demographics of the district and the city of Placerville, where the school is located, are mostly white, with a small Black population. Lewis believes that part of the problem is the lack of diversity in the school and the community.
Lewis and her daughter are seeking general, punitive, and medical damages for claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligent supervision of students. Lewis says she hopes that the lawsuit will hold the school district accountable and bring attention to the issue of racism in schools.
The incident is a reminder of the ongoing problem of racism in schools and the need for schools to take active measures to prevent bullying and harassment based on race. Schools should create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity. This can be done through training for teachers and staff, anti-bullying policies, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of all members of the school community to work together to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. By addressing the issue of racism in schools head-on, we can help ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Education Law News
As incidents of racism and discrimination in schools continue to occur, it is important for students and families to know their legal rights and options for recourse. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with racism or discrimination in school, it may be beneficial to consult with an education lawyer from EducationLawyers.com