Two African American Students Under Suspension Over Chewing Gum!
By Kendra Perry
04 March,
2008
Countercurrents.org
During
an interview on Real Talk with Al Sharpton on February 29, father
of a 13-year-old African American student, Marcus White, tells Sharpton,
“There’s a travesty today in Greensboro, North Carolina!”
Mr. White received a phone call from his son’s school early
Friday morning notifying of his son’s pending suspension. The
two African American students were accused of allegedly selling gum
to students on school premises. School administrators were purporting
that this action was in violation of Rule 24 of the code of conduct
outlined in the Guilford County Public School’s handbook, although
the “violation” does not explicitly meet any of the criterion
set forth. A teacher overheard Marcus speaking with another student,
Stacy Guess (also a Black student), and him mentioning that he made
money selling candy and that teacher notified the Principal, resulting
in both students’ suspension. Neither of the two students was
caught selling anything on school grounds, nor were they found to
be in possession of any candy or gum. Because of the implication of
said action, the school felt it was necessary in suspending both children
for 5 days off hearsay and speculation, and not the result of a particular
action or inaction. As Mr. White so eloquently stated while discussing
his son’s suspension with Sharpton, “President Bush signed
a law stating that no child is to be left behind, but my child is
being left behind for 5 days!” This action by the school in
and of itself was disruptive to both African America Students classroom
instruction, a disruption because of an action that did not occur.
Mr. White attempted to ascertain what exactly was going on, and while
speaking with the Principal was abruptly disconnected from the telephone
conversation. The Principal refused to speak with him further until
meeting with him in person. Mr. White, accompanied by two representatives
from the NAACP, and a spiritual advisor, met with the Principal to
discuss the merits of the suspension. The Principal admitted that
no one actually witnessed any of the actions being committed and also
admitted to having both student’s lockers searched and had a
local police officer canvas neighborhood stores to inquire if any
store owners witnessed or encountered any African American children
stealing candy from their establishments.
Mr. White, understandably upset, tells the Principal, “This
has to do with race. If my child had been a White child, none of this
would have happened!”
As educators, there is a huge responsibility in ensuring that individuals
set positive examples to the children they teach, but when you have
personnel who blatantly have disregard for the safety and nurturing
of the students, families, and communities they serve/represent, it
speaks to a larger issue that many are unwilling to address. With
educators such as the Principal, there is no surprise why the drop-out
rate of male students in North Carolina is 59.4%(as of 2007), with
African American males accounting for 7.55% (according to the Public
Schools of North Carolina State Board of Education).
There is a time and consequence for actions that involve disruptive
and disobedient students. But the actions of the school, in particular
the Principal, for an alleged act, speak to other underlying issues
that will come to light through the efforts of parents like Mr. White
who are actively and aggressively involved in the education of his
two children.
Bonita Wallace
Black Youth Of America
[email protected]
