Racial Epithets are not simple forms of name calling and not acceptable in Elementary Schools

  • by: Melodie Shuler
  • recipient: Eric Holder, Senator Mark Warner and Dr. Patricia I. Wright (VA Board of Education)

Far from being a monkey or nigger; Meleik is the youngest published author in world. After publishing a book at the age of 4 he was described during his first blog radio interview as a “firecracker” and has already been proclaimed as destined to become the next great American writer. As Pam Johnson a facebook fan noted on her website, "You gotta love this!" Ms. Johnson describes Meleik’s writings to other Facebook Friends, "A four year, African American boy is the author of a series of superhero books that depict African Americans in positive images." She continues "support his efforts ... we got a future Alex Haley in making!"

But his experience while attending Summer Hill elementary school is a story that reflects back to a time in our history that should have ended nearly forty years ago; during the civil rights moments. And most importantly a time in history that should never had existed in the first place. After continuously facing bullying which included being pointed at more than one time and taunted while a child stated "everyone look at my little monkey", and also called a nigger and gay Meleik.  He was also repeatedly called other names, stalked, assulted, and had property stolen.  Meleik was so psychologically traumatized that he ultimately was withdrawn from the first grade.

During the entire time school officials were entirely unresponsive to Meleik’s suffering and the humiliation he faced. It was later revealed to Meleik’s parents that the school system allowed a racial hostile environment to continue at this school for five years before Meleik even started attended the school. In response to Meleik’s lawsuit the school system argues:

While the School Board, Sheleta Crews, and Raymond Bowser do not dispute that the terms “nigger” and “little monkey” when used against an African-American are offensive, the conduct at issue – the verbal name calling – as alleged do not establish a claim of severe and pervasive harassment that systematically denies a child the benefit of an education under Title VI.

You would think that this type of ignorance no longer exists. You would think that no person in charge of educating children as well as being responsible for their safety, security and well being would actually make this statement in public. But in Richmond City the public officials have blinded their eyes to educate themselves on developments that have occurred in this county since the 60’s and are stuck in a time that the rest of the world has progressed from. Shame on them!

Please sign this Petition and/or support Meleik by telling others to sign, make a financial donation on fightersofjustice.com or sending a letter to the individuals listed below.

Please mail letters to the following address:

 

President Barack Obama

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

(online submit comments: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments)

 

 

Anurima Bhargava

Eric Holder

U.S. Department of Justice Educational Opportunities Section

U.S. Department of JusticeCivil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Educational Opportunities Section, PHB Washington, D.C. 20530

telephone at (202) 514-4092 or 1-877-292-3804 (toll-free)

facsimile at (202) 514-8337

e-mail to : education@usdoj.gov

AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

Federal Coordination and Compliance Section - NWBCivil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530

(888) 848-5306 - English and Spanish (ingles y español) (202) 307-2222 (voice) (202) 307-2678 (TDD)

 

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C. Office for Civil Rights, District of Columbia Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20202-1475 Telephone: (202) 453-6020 Facsimile: (202) 453-6021 Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov

 

 

Senator Mark Warner

919 E. Main Street Suite 630 Richmond, VA 23219 Phone Number: 804-775-2314 Fax Number: 804-775-2319

Email comments: http://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

 

Virginia Board of Education

Dr. Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

Melissa Luchau Director – Board Relations

Mailing Address: PO Box 2120 Richmond, VA 23218

804-225-2023

 

Richmond City Public School Board

Victoria Oakley (Officer – Deputy Clerk & Chief Academic Officer)

Irene Williams (Executive Director – Elementary Education)

Glen Sturtevant - 1st District

Kimberly Gray - 2nd District

Jeffrey Bourne - 3rd District

Kristen Larson, Vice Chair - 4th District

Mamie Taylor - 5th District

Shonda Harris-Muhammed - 6th District

Donald Coleman, Chair - 7th District (former Vice Chair)

Derik Jones - 8th District (former representative for Summer Hill)

Tichi Pinkney Eppes - 9th District

301 North Ninth Street, Richmond, VA 23219

804.780.7710

(more contact information)

 

Sheleta Crews (former school Principal)

3333 Cheverly Road, Richmond, Va 23225

Southampton Elementary School

804.320.2434 phone

804.560.2853 fax

Screws@richmond.k12.va.us

 

Raymond Bowser (former school Vice Principal)

100 W Baker St Richmond, VA 23220

(804) 780-4641

119 West Leigh Street, Richmond, Va 23220

804.780.4388 phone

804.780.8184 fax

 

Judge Henry E. Hudson (judge who originally dismissed case)

Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., Federal Courthouse 701 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219

804-916-2290

 

Jim H. Guynn, Jr. (School Board’s attorney)

Jennifer D. Royer (School Board’s attorney)

GUYNN, MEMMER & DILLON, P.C.

415 South College Avenue

Salem, Virginia 24153

(540) 387-2320 Telephone

(540) 389-2350 Facsimile

jim.guynn@gmdlawfirm.com

jennifer.royer@gmdlawfirm.com

Please inform Richmond City Public Schools that: 1.) racial epithets are not simply forms of name calling, 2)Failing to investigate complaints resulting in the complete absent of discipline to prevent children from continuing to hurl racial epithets at a six year while attending school is a civil rights violation and 3.) Racial epithets hurled at a six year while attending school can establish a claim of severe and pervasive harassment that systematically denies a child the benefit of an education under Title VI.

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