In a statement prompted by racist comments on social media that reportedly came from DeKalb County School District students, Superintendent Ramona Tyson touched on recent deaths of black men and women at the hands of white police officers.
"This nation finds itself at another crossroad," she said. "We have seen in the past weeks, months, years and decades how racism and intolerance have blighted the Black community and other communities of color. The most recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery have pierced the hearts of many, all while we do our best to stay well during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our students need to know the history of racism and why, to this day, people are fighting for freedom.”
District officials said several racist posts involving students at Lakeside and Chamblee high schools were brought to their attention recently showing white students, among other things, using the n-word. District officials are still reviewing the situations and determining appropriate punishments for each.
“We are a diverse school district and celebrate that diversity in every way,” Tyson said. “These posts do not reflect the culture of (the DeKalb County School District). Racist comments, videos, photos and such will not be tolerated. Whether face-to-face or on social media, there is no place for hate in (the DeKalb County School District). It is completely unacceptable and we hold the line of a zero tolerance of such behavior.”
In Georgia and across the country, the recent deaths of Arbery, Floyd and Taylor have reignited protests against police brutality and unequal treatment of black people.
An officer held his knee to 46-year-old Floyd’s neck for several minutes on May 25 in Minneapolis as several officers stood by, and continued to do so after the Floyd was deemed unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Taylor, 26, an emergency medical technician, was shot to death after police executed a no-knock search warrant looking for illegal drugs at her home on March 13. They found no drugs, officials said.
Arbery, 25, was stopped and killed while jogging in Brunswick on Feb. 23. Three white men, including one who recorded the shooting with his phone, have been charged in his death.
The district has instituted programs in the past focusing on diversity and anti-bullying as preventative measures to address issues before they come up. Tyson, who is retiring at the end of the month, issued a challenge to employees about awareness and culturally sensitive training, and to parents about being more targeted in the conversations being had at home.
“I realize that this new normal will require a “deeper dive” than what we have done in the past,” she said. “This includes a more intentional focus on training, culturally significant programming, and awareness for teachers and staff, as well as educational opportunities for students and open dialogue. I recommend that you use this challenging time to speak about the seriousness of racist beliefs and hateful language.”
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