Principal Adams addresses allegations of racist behavior
February 17, 2022
As you are aware, there is an allegation that racist behavior occurred from students and parents during Tuesday night’s girls’ basketball game against Robbinsdale-Cooper. At this time, these allegations are being thoroughly investigated by an independent investigator to ensure that we are able to have the most accurate information in regards to this behavior and take appropriate action.
This incident is just the most recent in a series of incidents involving hate speech at New Prague High School. Hate speech is defined as abusive or threatening speech, writing, symbols, or actions that express prejudice against a particular group, especially on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Since we have returned to full-time in-person learning, this year, the number of incidents of hate speech has doubled since the first semester of 2019. This does not even consider the number of incidents that go unreported and harm our students. This is consistent with nationwide data which indicates that hate speech is on the rise at school. These incidents are a symptom of a larger societal and community issue. That said, let me be clear, hate speech such as that that has occurred this year is beyond reprehensible. As a human being, I unequivocally denounce white supremacy and racist, xenophobic and anti-LGBTQ words, actions, and symbols. As an education professional, I vehemently oppose any such actions. Hate speech in schools is NOT a First Amendment right, it is a human rights violation. As such, when we have had proof that such actions have taken place, we have issued the most stringent consequences available to us under the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act and will continue to do so.
That said, these issued consequences treat only the symptoms. They do not treat the root cause. To that end, we must do more. And when I say we, I mean adults, students, parents, community members must be empowered to speak out and speak against this action. This most recent event, while horrifying, is a clear signal we must do more to eradicate hate speech from our school and community culture. While it is only a small first step, starting today we will be starting small group listening sessions. This is a space to come and talk about your concerns and possible solutions. There will be more action steps to follow.
If you are interested, please check your email. There will be a link for you to sign up for sessions today and tomorrow. If we need more, we will start more of them next week.
With a heavy heart,
Mrs. Adams
Paula Mazzacano • Feb 22, 2022 at 10:50 am
I dunno, maybe take a look at your social studies curriculum as a next step?
Rebecca Jimenez • Feb 21, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Thank you for acknowledging these terrible actions. Please don’t let this letter be all that comes from these allegations, as there is a much larger issue. Let’s not forget about the copious amounts of hate speech that white students at New Prague High School feel so comfortable with sharing. There have been numerous screenshots, pictures, and videos of students freely using hate speech and there should be consequences for their actions. If you really want to be against it, take a stand with your BIPOC students that have been suffering in unsafe learning environments. No one deserves to be treated like that, NPHS needs more than small meetings. This is not isolated to 1 incident at a basketball game, this is harassment that has become part of the everyday life at NPHS. Your BIPOC students need you, and your white students need to learn the ways of white supremacy and racism is not acceptable.
Kristin Verhoeven • Feb 19, 2022 at 7:22 am
New Prague High School is lucky to have a leader like you. As a New Prague alumna I am grateful to you for calling out these actions and words as harmful. I hope you will consider the asks in the petition cited below for possible changes to the existing policies against such actions so the culture can begin to shift and students can be supported and know their allies in the school system.
https://chng.it/mtmWmNhG