African and Caribbean students often target of bullying, activist tells city panel
A growing population of African and Caribbean immigrant students in Southwest Philadelphia is often the target of racial teasing and violence in city public schools, a community activist told city officials Tuesday.
As an immigrant from Sierra Leone 30 years ago, Carol Bangura was teased and targeted, labeled a behavior problem, and kicked out of several schools.
"A lot of what the kids are experiencing now, I experienced years ago," Bangura said in testimony before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. "It's time to stop."
The commission Tuesday held the 10th in a series of hearings on intergroup tension and violence in city schools. The meetings were prompted by racial violence at South Philadelphia High.
After the hearings, the commission will present a report to the district highlighting not just trouble spots, but also best practices.
Bangura said that while the Philadelphia School District had been cooperative and met with her on several occasions, violence against African and Caribbean students was still a problem. Students are picked on because
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20101027_African_and_Caribbean_students_often_target_of_bullying__activist_tells_city_panel.html#ixzz13eg0b8ny
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