Remember how progressives have relentlessly complained about the so-called “school-to-prison pipeline” and punitive school discipline measures like suspension and expulsion?
These have come about mainly as a result of the “disproportionate” racial discipline gap — that is, more minority students being disciplined than their white counterparts. This gap persists where objective “zero tolerance” policies are in place, as well as in schools where administrators and teachers can exercise their own judgment.
Believing this gap to be largely the result of racial bias, the Obama administration put heat on school districts across the country to keep (minority) students in school, even if constantly disruptive and even violent. As a result, measures such as the flowery titled “restorative justice” and “talking circles” became common … much to the chagrin of many, especially teachers.
Perhaps the most disastrous effect of such policies manifested in Parkland, Florida where school shooter Nikolas Cruz’s school misbehavior was, well, “overlooked” all to make the stats “look good.”
But apparently there’s some misbehavior that still warrants school expulsion and police intervention, and it doesn’t involve any sort of physical violence.
At the beginning of May, a New Jersey high school lacrosse team found itself in very hot water after one of its members allegedly uttered the “n-word” at a member of a rival school’s girls track team.
Allegedly others heard the vulgar term, but as the Haddonfield High School lacrosse team had its helmets on, a definite ID on the individual culprit could not be confirmed. A “culture of silence” followed, as no one would step up to confess nor identify the perpetrator. As a result, the district superintendent canceled the remainder of the season on the spot.
Two police departments were contacted — Somerdale Police received the initial complaint of a “bias” incident, which then referred it to the Haddonfield department. The major crime unit of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office was also informed.
Further, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association referred the case to the Division on Civil Rights.
The (black) superintendent, David T. Lindenmuth, added that “the district would conduct diversity training for students and staff,” and “additional procedures and requirements are planned for all sports teams.”
It’s bad enough when a private university considers expelling a student over a perceived racist incident; but calling in multiple police departments, a Division on Civil Rights, and a major crime unit for … an ugly word?
What happened to the talking circles? The concern for the over-criminalization of students?
It seems the victim of this incident and her parents had the most common sense out of everybody — they declined to press any formal charges and allowed the school to deal with it — as it has.
MORE: Campus diversity officer wants ‘zero tolerance’ for bias incidents
MORE: Teachers are NOT racist because of disparate racial discipline rates
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