So the thing about white people and racism is that we often say or do things that are not intended to be racist but if a person of color feels uncomfortable or that what we said or did was racist, then intent doesn't matter. It is still racist. It still made the person uncomfortable whether we intended to or not. We should listen, learn and apologize without ifs and buts, justifications or excuses. Just because Cotton-eyed Joe was played at baseball games, that doesn't mean the song isn't offensive to people who know it's origins. So now that we know, we should be thankful to learn that it is offensive and listen to what that student's mother is explaining.

Also, claiming that the song was used for years in baseball doesn't make it okay. Lots of sports team even have names that are offensive. Maybe naming a team the Braves or Indians wasn't intended to be racist but it is offensive which is why the Redskins no longer use that name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I asked my 10th grader (black) about some of this in more detail this evening, specifically if they feel black students are treated differently than white students (that is what they have heard), and have you felt this way (I don't talk to teachers much, so no) and then there is a lot stirring around the baseball team specifically. Not once since my kid has been at Walls have they come home with any concerns/examples about being treated differently than white peers. I'm not really sure what to think about all of this.

Some are more aware and easily set off than others. But it seems to be more of the Junior class that has just had it. My 9th grader says they have been more conversational. They'll work thru it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I asked my 10th grader (black) about some of this in more detail this evening, specifically if they feel black students are treated differently than white students (that is what they have heard), and have you felt this way (I don't talk to teachers much, so no) and then there is a lot stirring around the baseball team specifically. Not once since my kid has been at Walls have they come home with any concerns/examples about being treated differently than white peers. I'm not really sure what to think about all of this.

PP and I would imagine not all black students feel this way at Walls. There was a walkout but many students remained in class.

Anonymous wrote: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?

No you had to make any changes by 3/15 so if your kid gets into walls banneker won’t be an option. But really I wouldn’t change my mind due a dcum post. Walls kids (and banneker) are smart and I’m sure kind overall.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I asked my 10th grader (black) about some of this in more detail this evening, specifically if they feel black students are treated differently than white students (that is what they have heard), and have you felt this way (I don't talk to teachers much, so no) and then there is a lot stirring around the baseball team specifically. Not once since my kid has been at Walls have they come home with any concerns/examples about being treated differently than white peers. I'm not really sure what to think about all of this.

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.

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 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 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.

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

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

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 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 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!

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?