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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
|---|
| Ebony Davis has filed a lawsuit against the Davis School District for racial harassment. |
| The district is currently under DOJ oversight due to prior findings of severe race-based harassment. |
| Despite structural progress, racial harassment complaints continue to be high among students of color. |
| 83% of racial harassment complaints in the district have been substantiated. |
| The district’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with limited actions taken against offenders. |
| Systemic change is needed to address root causes of racism in educational settings. |
The Problem of Racism in Davis School District
Racism in American schools remains a serious problem, as shown by Ebony Davis’s lawsuit against the Davis School District and her coach, Robert Reisbeck. She claims racial harassment continued even while the district was under the Department of Justice (DOJ) watch. This case shows racism’s strong hold on education, even with federal involvement.
Racial Harassment Complaints (2023-24)
Ebony Davis’s Difficult Experience
High school was tough for Ebony Davis, who faced constant racist abuse. Her peers often used the N-word, a term with deep roots in oppression. Some white students even asked Davis for an “N-word pass,” showing off the casual racism Black students endure in mostly white schools.
Davis also faced students touching her hair without permission. Although some might see this as curiosity, it actually objectifies Black bodies, linked to America’s racial history. Moreover, Coach Robert Reisbeck made offensive remarks about Davis’s hair, skin, and skills. He reinforced racist ideas instead of supporting her.
The district’s action was weak. Reisbeck got a written reprimand and was moved, but it happened too late. The district’s report claimed changes after the incidents, overlooking the long-term harm caused to Black students’ mental health and grades.
DOJ Investigation Findings in the Davis School District
Severe Race-Based Harassment
The DOJ found “severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive race-based harassment,” including hundreds of documented uses of the N-word, other epithets, and physical assaults targeting Black and other minority students.
212 Documented Incidents
At least 212 incidents in which Black students were called the N-word across 27 schools, along with other incidents of race-based harassment of Black or Asian-American students.
Disciplinary Disparities
The DOJ concluded that Black students were disciplined more harshly than White students for comparable behavior.
Denial of Student Group Formation
The district prohibited Black students from forming student groups, while allowing other groups to form freely.
The U.S. Department of Justice found widespread and severe race-based harassment and discrimination in the Davis School District, including documented uses of racial slurs, inequitable discipline, and denial of student group formation rights.
A District Under DOJ Watch
The district’s neglect is worse since it has been under DOJ supervision since 2021. This was due to a settlement that determined severe racial bullying was happening in schools. While they claim progress, actual incidents say otherwise. In 2023, they got more racial harassment reports than there are Black students in their schools. An astonishing 83% of these reports were verified, showing how common racism is there.
- Statistics: These numbers reflect real instances of trauma and discrimination.
- DOJ Oversight: Incidents continue at a high rate despite federal supervision.
Use of Derogatory Language
N-word
Reports
Involving Elementary
and Middle School Students
Most harassment reports involved derogatory language, with the N-word being used 863 times. About 85 percent of these incidents involved elementary and middle school-aged children.
Source: ‘Demeaning’: Black Teen Says White Peers Sought ‘N-Word Pass’ … (Information based on query text)
The Limitations of Educational Reform
This situation shows that reform approaches fall short in fighting racism in education. Even with federal oversight, Black students like Ebony Davis still face regular racial harassment. The problem continues, highlighting the need for more profound changes.
Repeat Offenders in Racial Harassment Cases
Of the 2,531 alleged student perpetrators, 341 were alleged to be repeat offenders, accounting for about 13 percent of the total.
Reforms often focus on surface changes like policy updates or diversity training. While helpful, they don’t target the main issues. They fail to challenge power systems that allow racism or tackle the cultural factors driving it.
Staff-on-Student Discrimination Reports
Total Reports
Substantiated
Classified as Harassment
The district received 57 reports of staff-on-student discrimination, with 15 of those reports substantiated. Over half of those substantiated cases (8) met the definition of harassment.
The focus on individual incidents, like in the district’s report, misses the bigger picture. Racism is seen as single cases, not as a systemic problem needing attention.
Addressing Systemic Racism at Its Roots
Real progress requires confronting hard truths about our education system’s racist roots. We need to completely rethink how schools operate, focusing on the needs of Black and students of color.
- Update curricula to teach accurate Black history and contributions.
- Use restorative justice practices, avoiding punishments that harm students of color.
- Hire and keep Black educators to support students.
- Provide ongoing, thorough anti-racism training.
- Create accountability measures aimed at systemic change.
Defining Key Terms: The N-word and the “N-word Pass”
To fully grasp the gravity of the harassment Ebony Davis faced, it’s important to understand certain terms. The N-word is a deeply offensive racial slur with a painful history. It originated from the Latin word “niger,” meaning Black, but over time it became a tool of oppression (Anti Racist Cumbria). This word has been used to dehumanize Black people and uphold harmful stereotypes.
Some students asked Davis for an “N-word pass,” which implies they sought her permission to use this slur. However, there is no legitimate “pass” that can erase the word’s history or the harm it causes (Anti Racist Cumbria). This concept shows a lack of understanding about the severity of the term and perpetuates racism.
Violations of Bodily Autonomy: The Significance of Unwanted Touching
Additionally, Davis experienced violations of her bodily autonomy when peers touched her hair without consent. Bodily autonomy means having control over one’s own body without unwanted interference (ARC Southeast). Unwanted touching, even if seemingly harmless, disregards personal boundaries and can be deeply invasive.
Moreover, touching a Black person’s hair without permission has cultural and historical implications. It can objectify individuals and reduce them to curiosities, ignoring their personal space and dignity. Respecting bodily autonomy is essential to ensure all students feel safe and respected.
Understanding DOJ Oversight and the Settlement Agreement
The Davis School District has been under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) since 2021 due to pervasive racial harassment. DOJ oversight involves the federal government monitoring the district to ensure compliance with civil rights laws. The DOJ’s Office for Civil Rights enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race in programs receiving federal funds (U.S. Department of Justice).
The settlement agreement likely included measures for the district to implement, such as policy changes, training programs, and mechanisms to prevent future harassment. However, without effective enforcement and genuine commitment, such agreements may not lead to the necessary changes.
The Need for Systemic Solutions
Addressing individual incidents is not enough; systemic problems require systemic solutions. One approach is decolonizing the curriculum, which means reexamining educational content to include diverse perspectives and challenge existing biases (George Brown College). This helps create an inclusive learning environment that reflects all students’ experiences.
Furthermore, implementing restorative justice practices can repair harm and rebuild community trust. Instead of focusing on punishment, restorative justice addresses the root causes of behavior and promotes understanding (NextGen Learning). This approach can reduce repeat offenses and foster a more supportive school culture.
Accountability measures are also crucial. The district must have effective mechanisms to hold individuals and the institution responsible for discriminatory actions. Regular monitoring, transparent reporting, and community involvement can help ensure meaningful progress (U.S. Department of Justice).
The Cumulative Impact on Black Students
Repeated incidents of racial harassment have a cumulative impact on Black students’ mental health and academic performance. Experiencing racism can lead to anxiety, depression, and a sense of isolation. It can also affect attendance and engagement, hindering academic success (NextGen Learning).
Therefore, it’s important to recognize that each incident contributes to a larger pattern of harm. Schools must address not only individual acts but also the environment that allows such behavior to persist.
What Is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice: An approach that focuses on healing and making amends rather than punishment. It brings together those harmed and those responsible to address the impact and find a constructive way forward. This practice helps build empathy and community connections.
Urgent Systemic Change Needed in Education
The experiences of Ebony Davis and the issues in Davis School District underline the need for big changes in education. Reforms and federal oversight alone haven’t solved the racism harming Black students.
Looking ahead, we must not forget our ultimate aim: creating a school system that truly aids and lifts all students, regardless of race. This isn’t about policy tweaks or diversity efforts, but a complete shift in our institutions and ending racist structures.
Ending racial harassment in schools means going beyond comfort. It challenges the roots of racism and aims for a future where education liberates, not oppresses. Schools need to embody the equality and fairness they promise.
FAQ
Q: What allegations have been made against the Davis School District?
A: Former Layton High student Ebony Davis has filed a lawsuit alleging a pattern of racial harassment that continued despite the district being under Department of Justice oversight.
Q: What types of racial harassment did Ebony Davis experience?
A: Davis faced relentless racist abuse, including being called the N-word, inappropriate touching of her hair, and derogatory comments about her race and abilities from her coach.
Q: How did the Davis School District respond to the incidents?
A: The district’s response included a written reprimand for the offending coach and a transfer to a different position, actions which many viewed as inadequate given the severity of the harassment.
Q: How effective has the DOJ oversight been for the Davis School District?
A: The oversight has not significantly improved the situation; in 2023, the district received more racial harassment complaints than there were Black students, with a high substantiation rate.
Q: What are some proposed solutions to address systemic racism in education?
A: Solutions include decolonizing the curriculum, implementing restorative justice practices, recruiting Black educators, providing in-depth anti-racism training, and creating systemic accountability measures.
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.
