Racist incident cancels basketball game between Paseo Academy and Richmond High

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. Racist and derogatory comments made to basketball players at the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts before the team got off their bus led to the cancellation of Tuesday night’s game against Richmond High School.

According to a statement from Dr. Jennifer Collier, acting superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools District, the despicable comments came from a Richmond student.

KCPS administrators witnessed the incident and made the decision not to play, according to Collier’s statement.

“It is indeed a sobering time, but it is a time when we must take action to disrupt racist ideologies and behaviors and take collective action against systemic racism in our communities,” Collier said. in a press release. “Kansas City Public Schools will continue to be an organization that opposes racism, prejudice, and hatred and will continue the essential work of creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for all students.”

Collier also said trauma-informed staff are available for any student or staff member who needs emotional support.

The Richmond School District R-XVI said in its own statement on its website “it does not condone or condone the use of any type of derogatory terms or racial slurs in any form or context” .

Richmond School District administrators have investigated the incident and said that while they cannot comment on the impact on the student, what happened is not being taken lightly.

“On January 17, Richmond High School administration received an allegation that a Richmond High School student used a racial slur in the midst of a group of students from the Paseo Academy of Fine & Performing Arts,” said the district said in a statement. “The R-XVI School District of Richmond does not condone or condone the use of any type of derogatory terms or racial slurs in any form or context.”

Both teams agreed to reschedule the game at the original Kansas City Public Schools site.

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