To the Editor:
Picture this: A mild-mannered middle school student courageously musters the strength to report a deeply distressing incident. A sexually explicit and uninvited message, sent by a classmate, had invaded the sanctity of his digital space.
Enrolled in a school system that publicly emphasizes its commitment to a “See Something, Say Something” culture, this young man chose to speak out, guided by a belief that his concerns would be safeguarded and adequately addressed. However, what unfolded next was a disheartening journey into a bureaucratic abyss in which the act of reporting transformed into an unexpected accusation of possessing inappropriate sexual imagery and a failure to report his concerns in a proper fashion.
The is not a work of fiction but an account of the chilling reality that unfolded here in our community. It unveils a disturbing paradox, where the pursuit of justice led to the victim being cast as the perpetrator, where reaching out for help was met with blame. This is a story that beckons us to question the very fabric of our schools’ response mechanisms and compels us to consider the consequences of silencing the voices that dare to speak up.
My son, an African-American adolescent with learning disabilities, adhered to the school’s “See Something, Say Something” standard by responsibly reporting a sexually explicit text message he received from a classmate. However, what followed was a deeply unjust and wildly irresponsible response by the school administration.
What makes this situation particularly frustrating is that my son’s school is well aware of his learning disabilities, which include communication difficulties. Despite this knowledge, they penalized him for not communicating in a specific manner, essentially punishing him for a characteristic they were familiar with. It’s disheartening to see a young person, who wisely chose to confide in a trusted teacher, being demonized and disciplined for doing so.
This incident underscores the urgent need for schools to invest in comprehensive training for their staff to better support students willing to “Say Something” when they “See Something.” It’s essential that educators are equipped to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by students with learning disabilities.
Furthermore, this incident raises broader concerns about the default tendency of school authorities to resort to punitive measures, especially with young African-American males. We must emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding, and fair judgment in our schools, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, are treated with dignity and respect.
By shedding light on this situation, I hope to encourage a re-evaluation of school policies and practices. While I wholeheartedly support our dedicated teachers who navigate the complex terrain of education, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the formidable challenges they face in fulfilling their noble duties. Our students deserve a safe and supportive environment where they can report concerns without fear of unjust repercussions.
Dr. Bruce A. Johnson
Mooresville
I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Johnson and understand his concern. Yet, I wonder about the details of the sexually charged message. I wonder whether the repercussions that occurred against his son happened because the message was from a member of a fringe group that is protected instead of disciplined. Rights for all, justice for all, also means responsibility for all and equal punishment when it is called for, in spite of current, liberal school administration policies.
When you use the term “liberal” to describe any action related to this distressing situation and letter, it would be helpful for you to cite specific reasons for doing so rather than introducing that tired, typically unfounded, unnecessary political bogeyman, “it’s the liberals.” Folks without intimate, conclusive, reliable information about what transpired would be far better to stay out of it rather than jumping in to use it for their own questionable purposes.
This is exactly what needs to be discussed at the board of meeting! Not book banning or removal, not about keeping Captain K on the board, not about how we can bring prayers/christianity back in public schools. We need to focus on the students and school staff. The teachers and staff needs to be held responsible to ensure that all students are safe at school without obstacles.
Edward, tsk tsk tsk…You just can’t seem to keep the school and board of education non-partisan.
This is truly disheartening. As an advocate for people with disabilities, both physical and neurological, I am saddened by the way this incident was handled. Factually, this may have a long term emotional impact on your son; potentially making him accept being victimized because the consequences would seem to fall on him. The school should have definitely given much consideration to his learning disability, his courage to come forth with what was apparently a disturbing text, and the fact that this was a form of bullying from a fellow student, as the sender of the targeted message knew that this would be unsettling to your son. The school district needs to adhere to their ‘See Something, Say Something’ policy and do everything to ensure that teachers and administrators are strictly upholding it, and that students who report inappropriate incidents are protected… which in this case, they failed to do.