{"id":53339,"date":"2023-06-12T19:19:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T02:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=53339"},"modified":"2023-06-12T19:19:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T02:19:44","slug":"kentucky-school-district-agrees-to-remedy-serious-and-widespread-racial-harassment-against-blacks-and-other-minorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=53339","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky School District Agrees to Remedy “Serious and Widespread” Racial Harassment Against Blacks and Other Minorities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Justice Department on Monday announced a settlement agreement with Madison County Schools in Kentucky to resolve its investigation into complaints of serious and widespread racial harassment of Black and multi-racial students. <\/span><\/p>\n

The department opened its investigation in October 2021 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The department\u2019s investigation uncovered numerous incidents of race-based harassment in which Black and multi-racial students were called the N-word, among other racial epithets, and subjected to derogatory comments by their peers, officials stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The school district did not consistently or reasonably address the harassment, which included racial taunts and intimidation, and was at times reinforced by use of Confederate flags and imagery. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"When the district did respond, it often failed to follow its own racial harassment policies and its actions were ineffective in addressing the broader hostile environment. <\/span><\/p>\n

This inaction deprived Black and multi-racial students of equal access to the district\u2019s educational opportunities. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to officials, it led them to conclude that the district either condoned the behavior or would not take any action to help them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"black\u201cNo student should be subject to racial harassment, including racist taunts with the Confederate flag that are clearly intended to surface some of the harshest and most brutal periods of our country\u2019s history. Racial harassment inflicts grievous harm on young people and violates the Constitution\u2019s most basic promise of equal protection,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Rights Division. <\/span><\/p>\n

Adding, \u201cThis agreement will create the institutional changes needed to keep Black and multi-racial students safe and to provide them with a supportive educational environment. We look forward to Madison County Schools demonstrating to its students and school community that it will no longer tolerate racial discrimination in its schools.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe principles underpinning this investigation and settlement are straightforward,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky.\u00a0\u201cAll young people are entitled to seek their educational opportunities without facing racial harassment and abuse, and schools simply must adequately protect those entrusted to their care and instruction from that offensive, harmful behavior.\u00a0With this settlement, Madison County Schools are now taking an important step consistent with those basic principles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The department\u2019s investigation also raised concerns about racially disproportionate discipline for Black students at some district schools and inadequate systems for recordkeeping and analysis of discipline data. Under the agreement, Madison County Schools will undertake significant institutional reforms, including:<\/span><\/p>\n