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GREENDALE, Wis. (WISN) — Several Greendale High School students on Monday marched outside the school to protest the suspension of a classmate who was disciplined for standing up to a fellow student who the protesters said repeatedly used a racial slur against the suspended student.
“It’s OK to talk about it. Don’t say, ‘Walk away,’ none of that. It is OK to use your voice and to say what you need to say,” Chanese Knox told reporters.
Knox said the student who called her the n-word in September did so twice in as many days. Knox said the confrontation did not turn physical.
Her mother wants the suspension overturned.
“We will not be silent. We will be heard. It is not OK for the superintendent and the school district to do this to my daughter or any other kids here,” Diannia Merriett said.
Citing privacy laws, district officials would not comment directly on the incident or reveal whether the other student was also suspended. An email statement from Supt. Gary Kiltz said, in part, that “the students involved have been counseled and appropriate school actions have been taken.”
Still, protesters said the issue was not isolated but was part of what they said is a systemic problem in the district.
“When you’ve got a child in middle school call another child the n-word, it’s not OK. That is a learned behavior. That’s a learned behavior that starts at home,” said Herbert Raasch, the father of a biracial freshman at Greendale.
“We hear this word all the time everyday, they refuse to do stuff about it and so when we react to it we’re wrong,” Smone McLain added, “When we tell people not to say it, we’re wrong and they tell us that when we get angry, we’re the problem.”
In his statement, Kiltz continued, “While not perfect, we are working to improve. The district is embracing this community conversation around race and use this as a learning opportunity for ourselves, our students and or community.”
Merriett said she planned to continue to voice her concerns at Monday night’s school board meeting and its future meeting Nov. 5.
Merriett also provided WISN 12 NEWS with a copy of a letter written to her by Kiltz which confirmed the district is still conducting an investigation into the discrimination and harassment complaint she filed with the district.
GREENDALE SCHOOLS STATEMENT:
“Greendale Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. District administration takes every student, family and staff concern seriously and investigates all matters brought to our attention. Threats, hate speech and harassment have no place in our school community.
In accordance with Federal student privacy laws, we are not able to provide specifics regarding the incident and student consequences referenced. We can tell you that the students involved in this situation have been counseled and appropriate school actions have been taken in accordance with District practice.
School administration continues to offer to work with the student and her mother to ensure she feels safe at school. We take these concerns very seriously and will continue to investigate the matters raised.
Proactive steps are being taken to improve sense of belonging, engagement, and voice for all Greendale students. These include a student council for the advocacy of appreciation and respect for diversity, and a District-wide equity committee developing strategies to address opportunity, participation, and achievement gaps. Students and staff have been meeting over the past year to focus on making sure all students feel sense of belonging and purpose in our schools.
While not perfect, we are working to improve. The District is embracing this community conversation around race and use this as a learning opportunity for ourselves, our students, and our community.”
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