A vivid, cinematic scene featuring a close-up of a young Black female student with medium brown skin and expressive, determined eyes, standing confidently in the school hallway. The lighting is bright, highlighting her determined expression as she glances at torn campaign posters scattered on the floor. In the background, blurred images of fellow students, including some white peers who appear indifferent, convey a sense of apathy and division. The overall mood is tense yet resilient, reflecting the theme of racial harassment and the quest for change.
Davina Ricketts experience highlights the urgent need to address racial harassment in schools and deliberate indifference by school officials Image generated by DALL E

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Racial Harassment in Schools Exposes Systemic Failures in Education

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Davina Ricketts faced severe racial harassment during her 2016 student campaign.
Ricketts filed a lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference from school officials.
The Fourth Circuit Court allowed Ricketts to pursue her racial discrimination claims.
School responses to Ricketts’ harassment were deemed inadequate and indifferent.
Cyberbullying targeted Ricketts with harmful racial stereotypes online.
The case challenges systemic racism and highlights the need for accountability in schools.

Racial Harassment in Schools: A Wake-Up Call for Systemic Change

In 2016, Davina Ricketts, a sophomore at William G. Enloe Magnet High School in North Carolina, dared to dream big. She decided to run for student council but faced a stream of racial hatred. Her experience is a clear reminder of the ongoing racism in schools across the United States.

The campaign trail soon turned into a path of bigotry for Ricketts. Her classmates called her a cockroach, using hurtful tactics tied to racist history. Furthermore, the school newspaper joined in, printing articles filled with stereotypes about minority students. One article even mocked her by using a cockroach character to symbolize her (The New Yorker; The New Yorker).

Racial Segregation & School Diversity in NC Public Schools

Racial Segregation in NC Public Schools

Black Students in Segregated Schools

25%

Hispanic Students in Segregated Schools

20%

A study by NC State University researchers found that North Carolina public schools are becoming more segregated by race, with the share of intensely segregated schools of color increasing over the past decade.

Source:
Study finds North Carolina public schools are growing more segregated by race, WUNC

School Diversity & Academic Achievement

Research shows that school diversity is associated with lower dropout rates, higher academic achievement, and reduced prejudices. A study by the Century Foundation found that students in diverse schools tend to have better academic outcomes and are more likely to attend college.

These findings underscore how integrated classrooms can benefit both academic performance and social development, helping students succeed well beyond high school.

Source:
The Benefits of Diversity in Education, Century Foundation

However, the harassment went beyond words. Ricketts and three other Black students saw their campaign materials destroyed. Posters were torn down, and bookbag tags scattered in the school. On the other hand, the materials of white students stayed intact, highlighting the racial divide at Enloe Magnet High (The New Yorker; The New Yorker).

The Cyberbullying Storm: Racism's Digital Face

Moreover, Ricketts became a target of harsh cyberbullying. Social media flooded with racist comments, labeling her as an "angry Black girl," a stereotype used to silence Black women. Online bullies also questioned the academic skills of Black students, claiming they had low GPAs.

This racism undermined her campaign and aimed to discourage all Black students from joining school leadership roles. Additionally, when a local news outlet reported on the election, it sparked more racist comments, worsening the harassment Ricketts faced.

Passive School Officials: A Leadership Breakdown

One would expect the school to act swiftly. Instead, Ricketts and her parents encountered indifference. Administrators refused meetings to discuss ballot issues and harassment. This refusal ignored Ricketts' voice and showed her concerns were dismissed.

Racial Disparities in School Discipline

Black Students vs. Overall Enrollment

Black Student Enrollment

15%

Suspensions / Expulsions

27%

In 2019, Black students accounted for about 15% of total enrollment but made up around 27% of students who were suspended or expelled.

Source:
2019 Civil Rights Data Collection, U.S. Department of Education

The principal and other officials, aware of the damage to Ricketts' materials, remained inactive. This lack of action amounted to indifference, effectively approving the harassment. Even more concerning was the weak response to racial harassment reports. They invited Ricketts to "see" them to talk about it, placing the burden on her rather than safeguarding all students.

Title VI Claims for Racial Harassment: Seeking Justice in Court

Faced with no school protection, Ricketts bravely filed a lawsuit in 2021. She targeted Wake County Public School System, its board, and various officials, claiming they ignored the racial harassment and cyberbullying, violating her rights (The New Yorker; The New Yorker).

Racial Harassment in Schools & Title VI Claims

Racial Harassment in Schools

Black Students Bullied

25%

White Students Bullied

22%

In 2019, about 25% of Black students reported being bullied at school, compared to 22% of white students.

Source:
Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2020, NCES

Title VI Claims for Racial Harassment

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized that Title VI provides a basis for student-on-student racial harassment claims, aligning with rulings from other circuits.

This ruling emphasizes schools' responsibility under federal law to address racial harassment among students.

Source:
Appellant v. WAKE COUN – Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit Opinion

At first, a judge dismissed her case. Yet, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision in 2025. They acknowledged her claims of indifference, retaliation, and inequality. This not only validated Ricketts' experience but also allowed her to continue fighting.

Equal Protection Claims for Racial Discrimination: Challenging Inequality

The court's allowance for Ricketts' claims is noteworthy. These claims challenge systemic racism in education. Moreover, by alleging unfair treatment based on her race, Ricketts questions a system sustaining inequalities.

The ruling clearly states schools can't ignore racial discrimination. It reinforces the duty of schools to offer equal protection to all students, regardless of their race. This decision could set an important legal standard against racism in education.

As Ricketts’ case advances, it inspires those advocating for racial justice in education. It pushes us to acknowledge uncomfortable truths in schools and demand accountability from leaders. Through ongoing efforts, we can aim to create a fair education system for everyone.

Paste into original article after "Equal Protection Claims for Racial Discrimination: Challenging Systemic Racism"

Understanding Racial Harassment and Its Consequences

Racial harassment in schools is not just harmful words or actions; it is conduct based on an individual's race, color, or national origin that is unwelcome and can take many forms. It includes verbal abuse, slurs, taunts, stereotypes, or even physical threats and attacks (Fact Sheet: Harassment based on Race, Color, or National Origin on School Campuses). Such harassment denies students the right to an education free from discrimination, impacting their ability to participate in school programs and activities.

This type of harassment can also target how a person looks, dresses, or speaks, especially when linked to their ethnicity or ancestry, such as skin color, attire, or language spoken (Recognizing, Preventing, and Remedying Racial Harassment and Hostile Environment). Therefore, schools must recognize and address all forms of racial harassment to ensure a safe environment for every student.

Deliberate Indifference: When Schools Fail to Act

Deliberate indifference occurs when school officials know about harassment but fail to take reasonable steps to stop it. It involves a duty to protect students from harm and actual knowledge of the harassment. When officials do not act appropriately, they contribute to the ongoing harm (CEPI Education Law Newsletter). This failure is not just negligence; it shows a disregard for the student's rights and well-being.

Court cases like Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education highlight that deliberate indifference requires that the harm be severe and pervasive enough to limit the student's ability to learn (CEPI Education Law Newsletter). Thus, schools must promptly address harassment to prevent creating a hostile educational environment.

The Impact of Cyberbullying in the Digital Age

In today's connected world, cyberbullying adds another layer to the challenges students face. Cyberbullying involves using electronic means to harass or target someone based on their race, color, or national origin (Recognizing, Preventing, and Remedying Racial Harassment and Hostile Environment). This form of harassment can include sending hurtful messages, posting derogatory content online, or other digital attacks.

Cyberbullying can severely affect a student's ability to participate in school activities, leading to emotional distress and feelings of isolation (Race-Based Harassment/Discrimination - Duke University). Therefore, schools must address cyberbullying as part of their efforts to prevent racial harassment and ensure a safe learning environment.

Moving Toward Systemic Change in Education

Addressing individual cases of harassment is essential, but lasting progress requires systemic change. Systemic racism refers to policies and practices within institutions that disadvantage certain groups. It goes beyond individual prejudice and is embedded in the systems around us (Recognizing, Preventing, and Remedying Racial Harassment and Hostile Environment). Recognizing systemic racism is key to tackling the root causes of racial inequalities in education.

Recognizing Systemic Racism

Systemic Racism Icon

Systemic Racism: Institutional policies and practices that disadvantage certain racial groups. Unlike personal bias, it exists within social, economic, and political systems. Understanding this form of racism is crucial to addressing racial inequalities in education and beyond.

Schools must adopt proactive measures to combat systemic racism. This includes revising policies, providing staff training, and fostering an inclusive school culture (Recognizing, Preventing, and Remedying Racial Harassment and Hostile Environment). By doing so, schools can create environments where all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed.

FAQ

Q: What incident sparked the discussion on racial harassment in schools?
A: The discussion was sparked by Davina Ricketts' experience during her 2016 student council campaign at William G. Enloe Magnet High School, where she faced severe racial harassment from fellow students.

Q: What forms of harassment did Ricketts face?
A: Ricketts faced verbal abuse, dehumanizing comparisons, destruction of campaign materials, and cyberbullying on social media platforms.

Q: How did the school officials respond to the harassment?
A: School officials displayed deliberate indifference, failing to meet with Ricketts or address the harassment adequately, which allowed the incidents to continue.

Q: What legal action did Ricketts take?
A: Ricketts filed a lawsuit in 2021 against the Wake County Public School System, claiming deliberate indifference to the racial harassment and seeking justice for the violations of her civil rights.

Q: What was the outcome of Ricketts' lawsuit?
A: A trial judge initially dismissed her lawsuit, but the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed this decision in 2025, allowing her equal protection claims to proceed, highlighting the issue of systemic racism in education.

Q: What message does Ricketts' case send about racial discrimination in schools?
A: Ricketts' case emphasizes the legal obligation of schools to protect all students from racial discrimination and serves as a call to action for systemic change in educational institutions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.