Aledo ISD (Independent School District) parents are speaking out after a group of ninth-grade students was exposed for “slave-trading” Black students on Snapchat.
Students at the Daniel Ninth Grade Campus in Aledo, Texas was playing what is being referred to as a “game” on Snapchat in which they put prices on Black students at the school and traded them.
The group chat was labeled “Slave trade,” “N” Farm, and “N” auction.
Sounds like a blatant act of racism to me, but I guess simplifying it as a “game” makes them feel better.
ISD parent Mark Grubbs was so disgusted by the act that he removed his three kids from the school.
It makes me sick from the standpoint, ‘Who do they think they are? What gives them the right to think they can do that to someone else?
Reportedly, in the game, one student was valued at $100, while another was only valued at $1 because the students playing the game didn’t like his hair.
ISD parent Ella Bullock said she was not surprised by the act given what she’s experienced in the community.
I was not shocked honestly because of the community we live in.
A student at the school, that was very hurt by the racist act, reported the incident to school leaders and posted about it online.
In response, a note was sent out to parents stating that the students who participated in the act were disciplined, but no details were given as to what type of discipline the students received.
Many parents were upset that the note referenced the act as “cyberbullying” instead of racism.
Grubbs, the father who removed his three kids from the school, said, “Calling it cyberbullying rather than calling it racism… that is the piece that really gets under my skin,”
Amber Leeper, a former middle school teacher who saw screenshots of the game, said, “It softens the blow for those that may be uncomfortable with the conversation of racism.”
Someone told school board member Forrest Collins online that it was a hate crime, not boys being boys, to which Collins agreed.
Superintendent Susan Bohn issued a new statement that said racism and hatred had no place in the district, and they were making sure students of color feel loved.
Still words being said to calm the waters, but no details given.
Aledo ISD parent Ella Bullock is still not buying it, she said she loves Aledo ISD, but major changes need to happen regarding racism.
I’m still a bit disappointed with the email, it stops short of calling it hate speech.
Grubbs explained that he pulled his three kids out of the district because the acts of racism started to take his kids out of their character.
A lot of racism. My son being called out of his name and what not and it got to the point he didn’t mind fighting and that didn’t sit right with me and my wife. My son was never a fighter.
Parents are planning to show up at the Aledo school board meeting next Monday and demand a stronger plan to address racism.
Watch the news report below.
