Black Students Expose Over 100 Incidents of Racism at Connecticut Private School, Admin Expresses Deep ‘Regret for the Pain Suffered’
The posts include instances of Black students being told they couldn’t get into prestigious universities, students using racial slurs, and double standards for Black students. These were just a few of the allegations made against the school. Some of the comments on the posts from Black students include students saying, “My friends refused to believe my grades were real.”
One story claims a staff member allegedly “mocking students” for protesting the death of Eric Garner by a New York police officer.
A Black male student says when he was in 6th grade he was forced to run outside with other students in the woods at night in a role play of the “Underground Railroad” while classmates and teachers acted as “slave catchers.”
“We were led by another white counselor to a ‘safe house’ and made to hide in the bathroom. The ‘slave catchers’ then found some of us in the bathroom and captured us, splitting us from the group,” he wrote.
Students explained dealing with microagressions, such as Black students were being confused for other Black students, as well as teachers and students regularly commenting on the hair of Black students.
“I heard a teacher talk to a mother about my hair and how ‘different’ it was. She complained about how (the) other girls’ hair was neat and straight while mine was curly,” a female student posted.
Another post claims a incident took place in which white students performing in a production of “The Wiz” were asked to “deliver their lines in Black accents.”
There are over 100 reports of racist comments from teachers and students “fetishizing” and “sexualizing” Black students. Along with several allegations about certain faculty who were said to be “completely obsessed with policing Black women’s bodies,” according to Insider.
The King School released a statement commenting on the “eye-opening and heartbreaking testimonies” from students on social media.
“We deeply regret and apologize for the pain suffered by anyone within our walls” the statement said.
“Our goal to become a more inclusive school and an anti-racist institution will require us to work to ensure a safe space for every member of our community – especially for those who belong to communities of color,” the statement continued.
In response to the accusations, the private school hired a law firm to investigate the accusations, and to “make the institution more inclusive and diverse,” reported CT Insider. The letter detailed some of the changes being made by the task force in order to foster “a more inclusive and anti-racist school.”