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PREVENTING RACIAL
HARASSMENT AND ETHNIC
INTIMIDATION AT SCHOOL
-What Students Need to Know-
Why do students need to
know about racial harassment
and ethnic intimidation?
people make it sound
Like it's against the law!
That's because these behaviors are against the law! Every year thousands of Americans are victims of racial harassment and/or ethnic intimidation. Some are even victims of the most serious form of harassment, called hate crimes. Unfortunately, schools are all too often involved in these incidents, both as victims and as the ones who commit the offenses. As schools across our country become more racially and ethnically diverse, this issue is more important than ever.
So what exactly is
racial harassment
or ethnic intimidation?
District 11 defines it as oral, written, graphic or physical behavior relating to race, color, national origin or ethnicity of another, which
1) Creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for learning
2) Unreasonably interferes with or disrupts educational performance
3) Unreasonably interferes with a student receiving or benefitting from District benefits or opportunities
What are some examples
of racial harassment or
ethnic intimidation?
- Racially or ethnically insulting words or pictures in any communications (such as letters, notes, newspaper articles, invitations, posters, cartoons, photos)
- Racially or ethnically offensive comments (jokes, slurs, name-calling)
- Threats of force or violence against a person's body, belongings or home
- Physical behavior (gestures, restricting movement, violence, trashing or destroying property)
Can a person be guilty of harassing
a person of the same
race or ethnic background?
Yes, this kind of harassment can and does happen between members of the same race or ethnicity.
Don't we have
freedom of speech
at school?
Yes, of course. The basic American right to freedom of expression is seriously considered whenever a violation of this policy is examined.
What if someone
crosses the line just one time?
It is important to know that not every act which relates to the race or ethnicity of others and that may offend one person or group would be considered a violation of the District's racial harassment policy. Every incident is judged separately. At the same time, just one act, if it is serious enough, could be considered racial harassment and/or ethnic intimidation.
If a student or district employee is found guilty of this behavior, then what happens?
Students or staff who racially harass or ethnically intimidate are subject to disciplinary action. So are other responsible District staff if they fail to investigate such offenses. The discipline might be fairly light or it might be serious. Students may be expelled from school. Employees may be fired.
What if someone is
falsely accused?
Because racial harassment and/or ethnic intimidation is such a serious matter, telling the truth is especially important. Anyone who makes a charge of racial harassment knowing that it is not true may be disciplined. Students and staff are expected to be truthful if asked any questions about an incident involving racial harassment. When a person does report an incident, retaliation (trying to punish that person) is also against District rules.
What if this behavior happens away from school like at a game or on a field trip?
The law protects students from racial harassment and/or ethnic intimidation in all of a school's programs or activities-at school, on a school bus, at a class or at a program sponsored by the school at another location.
If I believe I'm being discriminated against in this manner, what can I do?
Any student (or his or her parent) who believes he or she has been racially harassed and/or is the victim of ethnic intimidation should immediately report it to a responsible school official. This could be a teacher, principal, faculty member, administrator, campus supervisor, District 11 Equal Opportunity Officer, or the District 11 security office (520-2287).
What do schools have to do to prevent or stop this form of discrimination?
Whenever this behavior occurs, a school must take immediate steps to stop it and prevent it from happening again. Harassing and/or intimidating behavior, if ignored or not reported, is likely to continue and become worse, rather than go away. Under federal law, schools must have a policy against racial and/or ethnic discrimination and notify employees, students, and parents of the policy. That lets everyone know that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Where do I go
if I have questions about District
11's racial harassment/ethnic intimidation policy?
At any time contact:
Marvin R. Adams, Sr., Director
Equal Opportunity Programs
and Ombudservices
1115 N. El Paso Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-520-2271
Fax: 719-520-2442
e-mail: ADAMSMR@d11.org
District 11 strictly forbids racial harassment and/or ethnic intimidation for three very good reasons. These behaviors interfere with one of our core values, which is to provide a safe learning environment where each person is respected. So they really go against everything our District stands for. They also tend to have a ripple effect that creates fear and tension for everyone. Also, as we said, racial or ethnic harassment or intimidation is against the law. So it's important for every student to understand and be able to recognize these behaviors.
If you'd like a copy of the physical brochure, contact the EO office at the above numbers and address.
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