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Parents Upset Over Alleged Racism Save Email Print
Posted: 5:23 PM Mar 21, 2008
Last Updated: 6:55 PM Mar 21, 2008
Reporter: Mindy Stone
Email Address: mstone@kktv11news.com

A | A | A

Some Falcon School District 49 parents say racism is an ongoing problem in their kids' schools. They are demanding the school district do something about it or they will take legal action.

These parents tell 11 News they fear the reported racism could lead to violence.

"Enough is enough," said Reverend James McMearn.

That is the message from concerned parents and the local branch of the NAACP.

"We have received several complaints about alleged racism," said Rosemary Harris, President of the NAACP Colorado Springs Branch.

The complaints have been filed with the school district. However, some parents say nothing has been done about it.

"My children have been called the "n" word. They have been abused And we have retaliated on because we've gone to these people for help.," said parent Felicia Wingo.

Dr. Nancy Wright, District 49's Interim Superintendent says district officials are working with outside experts to address the problems.

"I think there are legitimate concerns out there that haven't been addressed," said Dr. Wright.

The group of concerned parents and civil rights leaders are giving the school board two weeks to develop new policies and procedures.

"We don't think our children should have to learn in environments that are racially exclusive instead of inclusive," said Harris.

However, not all parents believe the school environment is a problem. One woman tells 11 News she has nine kids who are minorities.

"They are happy here. They are doing well. They're included on the honor roll, choir and basketball teams."

"I'm so happy about those children who are able to succeed. But, we must care for all of our children," concluded Harris.

A letter of recommendation has been given to Dr. Wright and school board members. It outlines three ways to address the racism issues.

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Posted by: Stephanie Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Denise, I have never heard anything so stupid.

Posted by: Sarah Location: Colorado on Mar 25, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I would just like to point out that racism affects everyone. My husband is Asian and I am Swedish so we get stares all the time. This is just society. Instead of pointing fingers, lets all start with ourselves and do what we can to teach our children how to be respectful human beings.

Posted by: Josh Location: C/S on Mar 24, 2008 at 08:40 PM
I don't see how people can relate to people on BET. Have you looked at their videos? Besides not too many people wtih any self respect would wear all that so called bling and put those gay @$$ tires/rims/wheels on their cars.

Posted by: Ryan Location: C/S on Mar 24, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Denise, slavery was over during Abraham Lincoln's time. Quit living in the past. White people are minorities because all it takes is one person of color to shout discrimination because they didn't get their way. I have been told " I can't hire you though you're the most qualified because I have to hire so many people of color." How's that for discrimination? Look in the mirror the next time you want to comment on a statement that's inappropriate.

Posted by: ED Location: C/S on Mar 24, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Denise, what do you think is the correct way to address people of color, it keeps changing? Wow get over yourself. Let see I'm white yet people think I'm Italian or Spanish. Who really cares, I don't. Real soon whites will be the minoiity, will we then be able to cry racism everytime someone calls us honky or cracker????????? Black people get over being black and just live life, after all we were all created by the same God and he loves us all.

Posted by: Stephanie Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I graduated from Falcon High School in 2005 and racism was not the issue from the white kids. There was maybe 5 black kids total the year I graduated and they were always causing problems with the white kids and hispanics as well. Like Joe Johnson said, the NAACP, BET, all of that, it's all forms of racism, but it's acceptable. The second a white person comes up with anything like that, it's racism and we're racists, but the blacks can do it with no problem. How is that fair? Just like the "n" word. Blacks call each other that constantly, but a white person does it and it's being a racist. It's just a word. It's only racist if you make it like that, just like everything else. So, until EVERYONE can be equal towards each other and have the same things and use the same words, shut your mouths and quit screaming "racism". Sometimes it's your "angels" fault, not other kids. Or has that not been taken into consideration? Probably not.

Posted by: Denise Location: Fountain on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:27 AM
WoW! These comments are rather interesting. I think it's pretty sad that Erik referred to the minority children as Colored People. I thought it was the year 2008 not 1960!! As far as the last comment made by Joe, I think that your statement alone is pretty stupid. If you were a minority you would understand that BET actually has people on TV that you can relate to because they look like you. Unfortunately, even after all these years people still judge you before they know you based on the color of your skin. A lot of the things JOE refered to were put in place because minorities didn't have the same opportunities as others and everyone knows that. Some people want to act like bad things never happened to black people and that they should just brush off slavery and all the events that happened in the past but obviously it is still affecting society today. Hopefully people will realize that there are things that are just innapropriate to say no matter what!!

Posted by: sergio Location: c/s on Mar 24, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Hispanic minority student....... since when

Posted by: Toni Location: Falcon on Mar 24, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Racism: 1)A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a paticular race. 2) racial prejudice or discrimination These things happen every day no matter what your race. We as a society should work together on the issues not in race oriented groups (NAACP). What does that really accomplish. Yes, these things happen in schools everyday. Not just to black children but to all children. Segregating the issues just makes them worse.

Posted by: christina Location: cs on Mar 23, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I totally agree with Joe, He is right on the money.

Posted by: Joe Johnson Location: C/S on Mar 23, 2008 at 06:11 PM
The NAACP, United NEGRO College Fund, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, JET Magazine, Grambling University, BET and The Essence Awards are all forms of racism.

Posted by: Ron Location: C/S on Mar 23, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I see you failed to post a comment though it may offend (political correctness offends me) is the truth and sometimes the truth hurts.

Posted by: michael Location: colorado springs on Mar 22, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Yeah black forest, cause it does take a college education to speak understandable english. Unfortunately it's just acceptable, and sometimes "cool", to be ignorant in this country and people like you just make it easier.

Posted by: White AND Location: Proud on Mar 22, 2008 at 05:40 PM
This sort of thing happens everywhere regardless of color. It seems as if it's ok for blacks to say whatever to whites, but let someone white say anything then it's racial. Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jesse Location: colorado S on Mar 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Erik my son was a High school student locally and the same thing happened in that school. I was at school halls and sporting events where the African American students were calling each other the N word. I once heard a teacher tell them to stop but no other action was taken. Not using the N word to be the standard for everyone not just the white kids.

Posted by: s Location: black forest on Mar 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Not everyone goes to college michael. Not to mention this economy would die a horrible death if everyone did. You also need to work on paraphrasing.

Posted by: Erik Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 22, 2008 at 10:49 AM
After seeing this story on TV, I decided to talk to my child about this. My child attends Sand Creek High School, and is a Hispanic minority student. They confirmed that the "N" word is used all over school, but, the people using it are colored people talking to each other. They need to set the example by not using it themselves.

Posted by: Kevin Location: Falcon on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Sounds like more of a behavioral problem then a racial problem if "certain" parents have no problems with their minority children in the school?

Posted by: Virginia Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 21, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Talk about the racism in Falcon Dist. 49 My daughter experienced bullying at Ridgeview elementary by a black student. The school Principle Mrs. Axford and the school counselor Mrs. Thomas (who is black) simply choose not believe my child that she had been repeatively verbally and physically harrased. We pulled our daughter out of school until they agreed to do something about the problem. I told the counselor that I felt my child's civil liberties had been violated, and she told me I was harrassing her. They moved my child to a different classroom that year, however that little black girl continued to bully my daughter. She knew she was above reproach becasuse of the color of her skin. This race problem goes this way too and should be addressed this way aswell. Subsequently my children do mot attend public schools anymore. The quality of education is unacceptable to me. There are too many teachers and administrators who just DON'T CARE!

Posted by: Michael Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 21, 2008 at 06:09 PM
"My children have been called the "n" word. They have been abused And we have retaliated on because we've gone to these people for help.," said parent Felicia Wingo. WHAT? It amazes me how many people are unable to make even the most basic statements in understandable english. Maybe they should be suing for higher educational standards as well?

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