Walls racist incident

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the kid in the video ask them to take it down? Did other kids ask them to take it down? What was their response? I don't see any problem with kids going to the administration if the kid who made the post was told that it was problematic but still refused to take it down. If their initial intent was not to make fun of this kid in a racist manner, why not just take it down when they were told it was problematic?

The kid in the video was fine with it but when he showed it to his mom, she complained to administrators and the kids who were involved were suspended.

Wow.

This is what happened. Kids were never directly asked to take it down. The modern version of this song -- which does not have the original raicst lyrics -- was played at Yankees home games during 8th inning for 15 years and is a current Tik Tok trend (related to baseball and not overtly at least to racism; most videos have no apparent racial element at all).

If the Walls admin is bad on racial equity issues then by all means the students should protest. Maybe these specific kids are even jerks. But I have not heard any reason to believe that these specific kids had any idea this song was racist, had racist intentions themselves or refused to take the video down.

Thanks for this info but can you clarify? First you say the kids were never directly asked to take it down. Then you say you have not heard any reason to believe the kids refused to take it down. Which one is it? Were they asked or were they not asked? And is your information because you are directly involved (either as a parent or school staff/admin) or are you a walls parent that is piecing together information from your kid, other parents, and other students?

[Anonymous]

I am concerned that seven pages of this topic have mostly generated worries that white kids are being mid-treated. There is little concern for the Black child. Keep in mind that at this school, Black students are in the minority despite their majority status as students at DCPS. It is fairly easy for me to believe that White students singled out a Black student for racist ridicule. This happens all the time: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2023/03/29/hastings-ny-farragut-school-principals-memo-racist-sexist-student-behavior/70056910007/

Country music is mostly the domain of white people (it is widely accepted as blues music being coopted for whites). I think we can all agree that there are few Black teenagers in DCPS listening to country music. Those white students definitely had this information even if they did not know the historic origins of the song.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 white kids on the baseball team took a consentual video of a black student, then posted the video online but edited it with a racist song about slavery. Disgusting.

The song they used is a very popular TikTok song.
It is unlikely the kids were thinking about the meaning of the song or making the connection to slavery.

Well, if it's on TikTok, it must be okay. "It's origins are a racist tune that utilises awful, racist stereotypes about Black people, who were enslaved in America when it was initially written."

Why hasn’t anyone named the song?

Cotton Eye Joe

What is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Because the song has the word “cotton” in it? Come on. If they were bullying the kid that’s wrong. But that is not a racist song.

Perhaps the two white students didn't understand what they were doing or the origin of the song. But, it absolutely has a racist history. Read the lyrics and read about how its been used in history

Don't you remember, don't you know,
Don't you remember Cotton-eyed Joe?
Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe,
What did make you treat me so?
I'd 'a' been married forty year ago
Ef it had n't a-been for Cotton-eyed Joe!

Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe,
He was de nig dat sarved me so, —
Tuck my gal away fum me,
Carried her off to Tennessee.
I'd 'a' been married forty year ago
If it had n't a-been for Cotton-eyed Joe.

Hi's teeth was out an' his nose was flat,
His eyes was crossed, — but she did n't mind dat.
Kase he was tall, and berry slim,
An' so my gal she follered him.
I'd 'a' been married forty year ago
Ef it had n't a-been for Cotton-eyed Joe.

She was de prettiest gal to be found
Anywhar in de country round;
Her lips was red an' her eyes was bright,
Her skin was black but her teeth was white.
I'd 'a' been married forty year ago
Ef it had n't a-been for Cotton-eyed Joe.

Dat gal, she sho' had all my love,
An swore fum ne she'd never move,
But Joe hoodooed her, don't you see,
An' she run off wid him to Tennessee,
I'd 'a' been married forty years ago,
Ef it hadn't a-been for Cotton-eyed Joe.

Here is the issue. I doubt many people have ever read the whole song. I’ve only heard the first verse and I’m over 40.


I’ve never heard this song period. But I’m not on TikTok and grew up in the West.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 white kids on the baseball team took a consentual video of a black student, then posted the video online but edited it with a racist song about slavery. Disgusting.

The song they used is a very popular TikTok song.
It is unlikely the kids were thinking about the meaning of the song or making the connection to slavery.

Well, if it's on TikTok, it must be okay. "It's origins are a racist tune that utilises awful, racist stereotypes about Black people, who were enslaved in America when it was initially written."

Why hasn’t anyone named the song?

Cotton Eye Joe

What is this?

What is your point in posting this question? Have you not read the thread? The song, the lyrics, the meaning, the significance, and more are being discussed in depth.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

Bigger issues..this incident was just the last straw. The upperclassmen are much more aware of everything. The 9th and 10th graders have been complaining about different standards and treatment for Black kids. I'm hoping this will lead to some real constructive dialogue and level setting. It was a large group of students that walked out NOT just Black kids. SWW has real self-advocacy now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

I am a walls parent. The students walked out over perceived general issues not about this specific incident.
They feel black students are sometimes treated unfairly.
Not sure about specifics. Interestingly most of the administration is black although there is obviously internalised racism that also exists.
Walls in general is a cohesive community. There are small issues from time to time but most kids seem happy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

Bigger issues..this incident was just the last straw. The upperclassmen are much more aware of everything. The 9th and 10th graders have been complaining about different standards and treatment for Black kids. I'm hoping this will lead to some real constructive dialogue and level setting. It was a large group of students that walked out NOT just Black kids. SWW has real self-advocacy now!

Can you please provide more information about the Black students’ perception that there are different standards of treatment? I’m a Black parent awaiting my son’s Walls’ decision tomorrow. Reports of poor treatment based on race is very concerning.

[Anonymous]

Curious about the school student body… Is it mostly white kids?

[Anonymous]

the school is majority white - about 1/2 white and 1/4 black

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am concerned that seven pages of this topic have mostly generated worries that white kids are being mid-treated. There is little concern for the Black child. Keep in mind that at this school, Black students are in the minority despite their majority status as students at DCPS. It is fairly easy for me to believe that White students singled out a Black student for racist ridicule. This happens all the time: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2023/03/29/hastings-ny-farragut-school-principals-memo-racist-sexist-student-behavior/70056910007/

Country music is mostly the domain of white people (it is widely accepted as blues music being coopted for whites). I think we can all agree that there are few Black teenagers in DCPS listening to country music. Those white students definitely had this information even if they did not know the historic origins of the song.

So connecting country music and a black person is per se racist? come on.

I actually am empathetic for this child & family due to their perception that this was racist. But it appears they are wrong about the intention. The way to resolve this for the good of ALL parties is to allow both sides to be true. But instead the white kids are pilloried and threatened, which by necessity creates a defensive posture. Completely counterproductive to education & understanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

Bigger issues..this incident was just the last straw. The upperclassmen are much more aware of everything. The 9th and 10th graders have been complaining about different standards and treatment for Black kids. I'm hoping this will lead to some real constructive dialogue and level setting. It was a large group of students that walked out NOT just Black kids. SWW has real self-advocacy now!

Can you please provide more information about the Black students’ perception that there are different standards of treatment? I’m a Black parent awaiting my son’s Walls’ decision tomorrow. Reports of poor treatment based on race is very concerning.

Some of the issues brought up by black students is that they’re not listened to in class as respectfully as their white peers, they re ideas are not listened to in group settings in the way white peers’ ideas are, etc.

[Anonymous]

If I have Walls as my first choice before, but I want it to be Banneker now, can I decline Walls and get into our #2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a Walls parent but I am a parent of a child waiting anxiously for tomorrow's lottery results with Walls at the top of the list. I have read this thread but I'm unclear as to why the kids walked out. Are they supporting and wanting the kids who took the video to be suspended or are they protesting the suspension? Or as someone else mentioned, is this part of a bigger issue?

Bigger issues..this incident was just the last straw. The upperclassmen are much more aware of everything. The 9th and 10th graders have been complaining about different standards and treatment for Black kids. I'm hoping this will lead to some real constructive dialogue and level setting. It was a large group of students that walked out NOT just Black kids. SWW has real self-advocacy now!

Can you please provide more information about the Black students’ perception that there are different standards of treatment? I’m a Black parent awaiting my son’s Walls’ decision tomorrow. Reports of poor treatment based on race is very concerning.

Walls parent here. FWIW, my kid, who is white, walked out to show support for the Black Student Union, which organized the "walk-out." And there were other white kids who did the same. My kid said the walkout wasn't so much about this video, but that the BSU wanted to get the administration's attention to discuss broader issues. Some of it has to do with what some Black kids perceive as unfair treatment from teachers and administrators - for example, getting called out for dress code violations more frequently than other kids.