Recently, students within our school district altered a photo of another student. The alterations and captioning were racist in nature and involved references to lynching. Shocking by any measure, but especially coming from young people.
Such images are not acceptable and have no place in our community or schools. Minnesota laws protecting the rights of juveniles don’t allow much detail to be shared, but it’s safe to say the consequences for the students involved in creating and distributing the image are serious.
Teachers, principals, district administrators and School Board members care deeply about students and families. We were not only shocked but profoundly saddened that something like this would happen in Duluth, especially in one of our schools.
From the time the image was discovered until now much has happened. School officials quickly contacted local law enforcement, and the Duluth Human Rights Office was notified. District officials reached out to state organizations such as the NAACP, Minnesota Human Rights Commission and others for advice. School and district administrators met with the family and community leaders to discuss the incident and seek input on next steps. Hours have been spent conducting a thorough investigation, carefully following due process and determining appropriate consequences. School leaders met with each grade level to talk about what happened and to emphasize that racism is hurtful and unacceptable. Students are taking action, creating a grass-roots campaign to encourage respect and understanding.
District leaders are reviewing what already is being implemented in schools to promote respect and understanding and what more might be done to support the goals within our strategic plan, which addresses inequity and racism.
Steps are being taken to further develop conversations through this year’s Think Kids project. Meetings are scheduled March 30 through April 22 and are open to everyone. An important part of each Think Kids meeting will involve asking citizens to provide advice about working collaboratively to address racism and to continue to support safe and welcoming environments, where the uniqueness of each person is honored, respected and valued. Meeting schedules are available at isd709.org or by calling (218) 336-8735.
The NAACP and Duluth Human Rights Commission are providing an opportunity for the community to discuss racism and the schools, which we appreciate. That meeting is on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the old Lincoln Park Middle School, 2424 W. Fifth St.
In working with local leaders, we’ve heard a desire that this incident be used as an opportunity for the community to come together and for learning to occur - for the students, the schools and Duluth as a whole.
As district and community leaders, we are committed to helping make this happen.
About the writers
This commentary was written and submitted by Duluth School Board Chairwoman Judy Seliga Punyko, Vice Chairwoman Annie Harala, Clerk Rosie Loeffler-Kemp and district Superintendent Bill Gronseth.
