Los Angeles Mom Katura Stokes is suing the Palmdale School District after she heard her son’s sixth-grade teacher go on a racist rant that was recorded over Zoom.
The son attends Dessert Willow Fine Arts, Science and Technology Magnet Academy in Palmdale, California.
Katura’s son was having trouble transitioning to online learning, and he couldn’t access the virtual platform to complete his assignments.
According to Katura’s complaint, she was told by administrators to follow up with her son’s teacher, who scheduled a Zoom meeting with Katura and her son on January 20.
The Zoom meeting went well, and the science teacher, Kimberly Newman, reassured Katura that her son was caught up with all his assignments.
Newman forgot to sign off at the end of the Zoom meeting and Katura was surprised when Newman exploded in a “racist inflammatory rant” about her and her son.
Katura recorded the half hour rant because she figured no one would believe her, the complaint states.
These parents, that’s what kind of pieces of s— they are. Black, he’s Black, they’re a Black family.
You’ve taught him to make excuses that nothing is his fault. This is what Black people do, this is what Black people do. White people do it too, but Black people do it way more.
Katura called the school principal to complain about the racist comments while Newman was still ranting, and when she was confronted by school officials she denied making the comments and quickly logged off Zoom.
Newman was placed on administrative leave, and she resigned three days later.
Katura has acquired attorneys Neil Gehlawat and John C. Taylor, who have both publicly voiced their opinions on the case.
Neil Gehlawat made a statement about the unequal educational experiences for minority students.
The video clearly shows that unequal educational experiences for minority students exist. Like many parents whose children have struggled to transition to online schooling during the pandemic, Ms. Stokes reached out for help — and, in return, she discovered that her son was being treated unfairly because of the color of his skin.”
John C. Taylor made a statement about the significance of the video evidence.
The horrible comments the teacher made in the video are truly heartbreaking for a mother to hear and for her young son to hear.
It’s unthinkable that an educator would mock and belittle this family and there is no doubt that this incident has scarred them.
All children are entitled to receive an educational experience free of discrimination and this video has demonstrated what minority students often face behind the scenes today.
Watch the CBS Los Angeles news report below:
The complaint states, “Ms. Stokes is concerned about her son’s ability to a get ‘fair shake’ at school since … other teachers appear to share similar feelings about he and Ms. Stokes.”
Katura Stokes was very smart to record that video.
Your thoughts…
Source: The Grio
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