The Lawrence School in Brookline. BANNER PHOTO
Aug 22, 2024 Story by: Editor
A Black eighth-grader in Brookline experienced racial bullying and harassment, including a “disturbing re-enactment of George Floyd’s murder,” according to a civil rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education.
The complaint outlines “increasing incidents of racial bullying, including racial slurs and physical violence,” according to a statement released Wednesday by Lawyers for Civil Rights. On Monday, the organization filed the complaint against Amos A. Lawrence School on behalf of the student, identified in the filing as M.C., and their parents.
The most recent incident allegedly involved a white student placing his knee on M.C.’s neck while repeatedly yelling “George Floyd” as the Black student lay on the ground. The complaint also claims that M.C. was called racist names such as “cotton picker.”
The attorneys stated that despite these incidents being reported to school authorities multiple times, “the perpetrators were never disciplined.”
Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory, in a statement released Wednesday afternoon, confirmed that the district was reviewing the complaint with legal counsel and emphasized that the school system “condemns hatred and racism in all forms.”
“Racism and discrimination are completely against the values of our school district,” Guillory stated. “The Public Schools of Brookline is dedicated to providing equal access to high-quality education for all students. Our Office of Educational Equity works closely with faculty, staff, and administration to ensure that the district’s policies and practices are fair, offering every student—regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or economic status—the opportunity to participate, succeed, and grow in Brookline.”
Brookline town officials were unavailable for immediate comment.
“I want justice—not just for my child, but for every other student. I want everyone to collectively do better,” M.C.’s father, Ricardo Henry, said in the statement. “Brookline schools have created a culture where Black students are subjected to unsafe learning environments. School administrators must be held accountable.”
In its press release, Lawyers for Civil Rights described the re-enactment of George Floyd’s murder as “both a physical assault and an attack on M.C.’s racial identity,” adding that it was “hurtful, humiliating, and traumatizing for M.C.” The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020 ignited nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
“Racial bullying in our schools is unacceptable,” said Mirian Albert, senior attorney for Lawyers for Civil Rights, in the statement. “Every child deserves a safe, inclusive learning environment free from discrimination. We must hold our educational institutions accountable and take swift action to ensure justice and equity in education. Our children’s futures depend on our steadfast commitment to these values.”
The statement further noted that this was the fourth civil rights complaint filed by the attorneys in the past two months, addressing racial bullying in Massachusetts schools. Previous cases involved students from Southwick and Melrose. Source: WBUR
