BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Students at Bloomfield Hills High School staged a walkout last week in protest of racist incidents.
Threats against Black students were written on bathroom walls. The students said school administration isn’t doing enough to address the racism.
They said the issues have been happening for years and they’re afraid to go to school. The district has reported the threats to police.
On Tuesday (Nov. 16) the school district held a community event to address the incidents.
“This is something me and my wife talked about,” parent Trek Carethers said. “One of the things we’re very upset about is that when we were getting notices from the school district it was very generic.”
Parents were told there were racist incidents, but not about the threats. The school district held a meeting for parents and students Tuesday (Nov. 16) night to address concerns.
Local 4 was asked not to record parents or students. Those attending were asked not to record the meeting on their phones. Mara MacDonald was allowed to sit in and listen.
Both the superintendent and the principal apologized to parents. The meeting lasted three hours and frustrated parents and students were allowed to share how they felt.
Students told the administration that racial slurs are common and they don’t feel safe. Parents are upset about what their children tell them is happening and frustrated with what they say is a lack of transparency from the district. Parents said what their students are saying is nothing new.
“They been telling the same story for a long time,” parent Samuel Walker said. “The administration has heard this before it remains to be seen if things are gonna change.”
Read: Bloomfield Hills High School students walk out in protest of racist incidents