Create a vivid, cinematic scene with warm, natural lighting using an Arri Alexa camera. Focus on a worried biracial teenager, with frizzy hair and wearing casual attire, sitting alone on a school bench, her expression reflecting sorrow and resilience. In the background, a blurred school building and a few distant students can be seen, symbolizing isolation. The mood conveys the weight of racial bullying and the need for support, with the text
A biracial teen faced relentless racial bullying in Pennsylvania, prompting a lawsuit and a $50,000 settlement that highlights systemic issues in schools. (Image generated by DALL-E).

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Racial Bullying Incident in Pennsylvania Sparks Legal Actions and Outrage

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
A biracial teenager faced severe racial bullying in a Pennsylvania school.
The bullying incidents included being called derogatory names and slurs.
The school administration failed to respond adequately to complaints.
The family filed a lawsuit in 2022, resulting in a $50,000 settlement.
The school district did not accept liability as part of the settlement agreement.
The case has sparked community dialogue about racism and school responsibilities.

Racial Bullying in Pennsylvania School District Sparks Outrage and Legal Action

A biracial teenager in Pennsylvania faced intense racial harassment, which led to a legal battle and a $50,000 settlement. This situation exposes the trauma caused by racial bullying and the ongoing failures in schools to address such behaviors.

The Incident: A Chronicle of Racial Abuse

The bullying started in 2018 when a 17-year-old biracial student in the Jersey Shore Area School District became the target of racial slurs. She endured insults like “monkey” and the N-word, creating a hostile environment that severely impacted her well-being (Atlanta Black Star).

The demographics of the district, with a student population that is 94% white, amplified the student’s sense of isolation. This imbalance highlights how students of color can face higher risks of harassment in predominantly white environments.

These demographics illustrate how students of color, making up less than 1% of the population, can face heightened isolation. The school district’s lack of response to such incidents reflects the need for stronger anti-racism initiatives.

Administrative Inaction and Legal Consequences

Despite repeated complaints from the student’s parents, the school district failed to address the bullying. This inaction led the family to file a lawsuit in 2022, which resulted in a $50,000 settlement approved by U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle (Atlanta Black Star).

Jersey Shore Area School District Demographics (2023-2024)

White
94%
Black
0.01%
Hispanic
0.01%
Multiracial
0.03%

Source: Atlanta Black Star

The $50,000 settlement, while helpful, does not force the school district to admit responsibility. The settlement breaks down into $13,349 for attorney fees and $36,651 for the student.

Broader Implications and Community Response

This case is part of a broader pattern of racial harassment in U.S. schools. The U.S. Department of Education reported more than 3,000 instances of racial harassment in schools during the 2017-2018 school year alone (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights).

Racial Harassment Reports in U.S. Schools

Over 3,000
Reports of racial harassment in the 2017-2018 school year

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

These issues have led to increased conversations about the origins of racist behavior in schools and the role of administrators in preventing such incidents. Communities are calling for stronger anti-racism measures and inclusive policies.

The case also reflects broader trends in discipline disparities. In Kansas, a settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Wichita School District revealed that Black students were punished more harshly than white peers for similar behavior (U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division).

A Call for Systemic Change

The case calls for action, including:

  • Adopting stronger anti-racism policies
  • Providing cultural sensitivity training for staff and students
  • Hiring more diverse staff
  • Creating effective reporting systems for racial incidents
  • Responding swiftly to reports
  • Encouraging open discussions on race

While financial settlements are important, real progress requires ongoing efforts to confront racial discrimination in schools. This case reminds us that creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students is an ongoing responsibility.

FAQ

Q: What incident sparked the legal action in Pennsylvania?
A: A biracial teenager in the Jersey Shore Area School District faced severe racial bullying, including racist epithets, leading to a legal settlement of $50,000.

Q: How did the school administration respond to the reports of bullying?
A: The school district failed to take meaningful action despite repeated reports from the student’s parents, allowing the harassment to continue.

Q: What were the outcomes of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit resulted in a settlement of $50,000, with $13,349 allocated for attorney fees and the remaining amount awarded to the student.

Q: What broader issues does this incident highlight?
A: It underscores systemic racial discrimination in schools and the need for comprehensive anti-racism policies and cultural sensitivity training.

Q: What steps are being suggested for educational institutions to take?
A: Suggested steps include implementing anti-racism policies, providing cultural sensitivity training, increasing diversity in staffing, and establishing effective reporting mechanisms.

Q: Why is the demographic makeup of the school significant?
A: The predominantly white student population (94%) increases the vulnerability of students of color, highlighting the risk of isolation and harassment.

Q: How does this case reflect on racial harassment in U.S. schools overall?
A: This incident is part of a broader pattern, with over 3,000 reports of racial harassment documented in schools during the 2017-2018 school year.

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.