Action Needed to Address Racial Slurs by Football Players at Utica High School in Ohio
Athletic Director
North Folk Schools
Dear Mr Radabaugh
I was just informed by a parent in your school district that three members of your high school football team used racial slurs against players on another team during a game on Friday October 11. This information was also shared on the page of a national organization to which I belong which is devoted to preventing incidents of this kind and defending targets of racial intimidation and harassment.
In this polarized political climate, it is vitally important that action be taken against these young men if the accusations against them have been substantiated. Our society is a powder keg, and as educators, we have to be pro active in dealing with incidents of this kind
I speak from experience as well as from conviction. Three years ago, we had disturbing incidents of this kind at Fordham University, the school at which I teach. The Administration, the student body, and alumni not only moved quickly to punish those responsible, they also put in motion a variety of new initiatives to help prevent such incidents in the future.
Incidents like this can poison the atmosphere in your school and your town if left unaddressed, And they can also affect your school's reputation, as this incident is now being discussed by people all over thed country
I strongly recommend that you follow our example at Fordham and put in motion programs to educate your students to the importance of treating all people with respect, and avoiding attacks on people whose race religion or national origin may make them vulnerable
Sincerely
Dr Mark Naison
Professor of African American Studies and History
Founder and Director, Bronx African American History Project
Dealy Hall Room 640
(917) 836-3014