New allegations of ‘dehumanizing’ incidents prompt more calls for change at Racine Lutheran high school

[ad_1]

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) – Students, parents and community organizations are calling for more change at Racine Lutheran High School following new revelations of racist and discriminatory acts in the school.

CBS 58 was the first to report an incident where students wore T-shirts with the words “Trump’s Wall” on them, which offended some students of color.

A coalition of groups led by Forward Latino engaged with school administrators to help resolve the issues.

But nearly a week later, those groups say they learned of new incidents and reports that admins weren’t as open as expected.

“A number of the statements we heard were lies, in an attempt to cover up how long these things have been happening, when they knew what they knew,” Forward Latino Chairman Darryl Morin said. , during a press conference Thursday, October 7. .

The new revelations include an uncovered text message conversation which the groups say involves a staff member affiliated with the school and also a law enforcement officer. The groups say the text shows the staff member insinuating he intended to get revenge on a student who voiced concerns about the school.

“I can’t wait to catch his a – in traffic,” the text read, implying that the staff member, in his capacity as a police officer, wanted to arrest the student in question.

A source told CBS 58 that the staff member in question was an assistant football coach for Racine Lutheran and an officer with the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

Mount Pleasant Police Department Chief Matthew Soens sent the following statement to CBS 58:

“We recently received information from a third party implicating the actions of one of our officers affiliated with Racine Lutheran High School. An internal investigation has been initiated to obtain further information regarding this incident.”

The groups also say they discovered a photo believed to have been taken in a school toilet where the n-word and a swastika were written on a door.

“It is particularly shocking that dignity has been stolen and attacked by individuals in a religious institution,” Morin told reporters.

Racine’s Lutheran students at the press conference told CBS 58 that they did not feel comfortable in their school.

“The culture has to change,” said Serenity Ford, senior at Racine Lutheran. “We have no one to go to, no one to talk to.”

“I know a lot of kids come home crying because of everything going on at school,” Dulce Contreras, also a senior, said in an interview.

Students, as well as parents and organizations, have compiled a list of demands from the school, including more diversity among staff and better training of staff on issues of race and culture.

“We want to do more, we want justice, not just for this, but for years, alumni, we have wanted justice for every person of color that exists,” Contreras said.

Racine Lutheran High School did not respond to CBS 58 requests for comment.

Dr. Chris Cody, education officer for the Southern District of Wisconsin at the Synod of the Lutheran Church-Missouri, sent CBS 58 this statement:

“The Synod of the Lutheran Church of Missouri believes, teaches, and confesses that each person is an only child of God, created by Him for His purpose. We believe, teach, and confess that all are equally created by and accountable to God. We believe, teach and confess that the sins of all are atoned for by Christ. We rely on the Word of God which clearly rejects racism. There is no room for racism and individual acts of hate in our schools and they cannot be tolerated Open conversation and dialogue based on Christ’s love for the betterment of his church and our community should be welcomed at every opportunity as we strive to act righteously, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6: 8). ”

[ad_2]