I am writing this letter to inform you
of the justification of racial slurs and derogatory speech that
continuously exists in school today. Despite blood, sweat and tears
dedicated to creating a safe space for all individuals regardless of
their social markers, a school prinicpal at Montclair Public School
in Oakville finds that provoking a student justifies a retaliation of
derogatory terms.
This week, a
black male student in the eigth grade asked a white female student in
the same grade why she was in school just to disrupt the lesson. She
responded by calling him a nigg*r.
The student was shocked that that was
her response.
In a way, I can understand a young
student using those words to insult someone because they know it is
wrong, yet they do not fully understand the history of the super
charged derogatory term. We can spare the debate here on who can and
cannot use the word. It is clear that she called him that as a weapon
to retaliate.
The parent of the male student spoke
with Prinicipal Kelly Hughes-Allen of Montclair Public School. She is
the new principal of the school beginning in the 2013-2014 school
year.
Huges-Allen mainly focused on how her
son was the instigator and that he provoked being called a nigger.
Victim blaming much?
On August 28th, 2013,
Huges-Allen posted a message onto the school's website that stated,
“I
feel that it is my responsibility as principal to ensure your child
receives a quality education within a safe, respectful environment.
It is evident that Montclair is a school that thrives on positive
parent and community partnerships. Working together only enhances
your child’s educational experiences. I am very excited to be
joining this community"
If
it is her responsbility to ensure a respectful environment and her
response was to blame the male student, then what is her definition
of respectful?
The
parent states that she teaches her son it is not right to use racial
slurs, and the school is teaching him that it is okay. She
understands that her son should not have said anything. However,
regardless of what he said, what does him being black have to do with
it? Why call him a nigg*r? Why justify and why believe that a lack of
consequence will not have long term impact on how children perceive
and understand hate speech?
The
fact that the school is tolerating this behaviour is appalling. Are
we allowed to behave in such ways because we were provoked? Last I
checked, the same belief was applied the battered women. Apparently,
they provoked their abusive husbands to beat them too.
As
long as we're staying still...
http://www.hdsb.ca/montclair/NewsRoom/Pages/default.aspx
Wow! What a push backwards..you would think living in canada as multi cultural as it is people would come back with a better come back than that...truly disappointing that it was brushed aside and made ok by the school..disgusting
ReplyDeleteKelly Hughes-Allen is the principal at a different Burlington school, and needs to be fired. You should forward this excellent blog to the Burlington Public School Board and ask why they continue to condone the actions of this very racist female. There is nepotism involved here as well, she is close friends with the members of the Burlington School Board. One female board member in particular that is in pictures with her on her Facebook profile.
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