Students, some holding BLM signs, stood on the front steps of Rockdale High School, Friday morning in a misty rain to protest an incident at the school that ignited Facebook and Snapchat on Thursday night and into the next morning.
Now and again, the protesters broke into chants of “No justice, no peace” and “Black lives matter” at the protest that started around 8:30 a.m., before dispersing with a walk around campus and then back to classes.
The protest was called because a black student at the high school told officials she had been verbally assaulted with racist terms by two white boys, and the boys received verbal warning, according to students.
The peaceful protest was organized by Rockdale High School students who feel that it is time racial incidents, which according to Facebook comments are part of their high school life, be dealt with.
One mother of Rockdale High School students said she did not know why the two boys targeted their fellow classmate, but was concerned about what she heard they told the girl.
“The fact that they felt comfortable enough to say it and were not disciplined for it only given verbal warning is why our kids took a stand. They are tired of the school system failing them, they are there to get an education, not be harassed,” said Salina Rubio who was at the protest.
Some Facebook comments agreed with her.
“All of you parents need to contact the school administration and let them know that your kids do not feel safe because they are allowing this to happen. It’s very obvious he was taught this behavior so he’s not going to be punished at home,” was one Facebook comment.
RISD Superintendent Denise Monzingo addressed the matter in an email to The Rockdale Reporter on Thursday.
“By now you have probably heard that a group of students participated in a peaceful protest this morning in front of the high school. The protest came to an end at approximately 10:30 with the students returning to class. Students will need to make up any work from classes missed,” she wrote.
Citing privacy laws regarding students, Monzingo said she could not address why the boys chose the girl they were accused of verbally abusing.
In a Monday email, the district addressed the actions it took in the matter.
“Upon hearing the various discussions being held across our community over the past few days, the Rockdale ISD School Board and Administration want to make it clear that acts of racism will not be tolerated on our campuses. As this has been a school board priority, a training on Social Justice with the Texas Association of School Boards was scheduled several months ago for today, Dec. 14, and will include the school board and administrators from all campuses. The goal of this training is to solidify the expectations of our district on this topic and to come together on our plan to address it at all levels,” school officials wrote.
Of the incident last week, the email said, “On Friday, once students were back in class, the administrators were able to finalize the investigation and punishment was handled. School systems are not able to discuss specifics regarding student discipline with anyone except the parents of the student. While we know this is frustrating at times, this allows schools to protect the privacy of everyone involved.
“As in all disciplinary situations, we make every effort to hear all sides and thoroughly question everyone involved to make sure we have a clear picture before determining consequences. Sometimes these investigations take several days to complete. While we understand that delay may come across as inaction, we would ask our community to support our efforts to be thorough for the sake of all concerned.
“Our hope moving forward is that the district, parents and community can work together in a positive way to teach our children to be kind, understanding and accepting of each other,” Monzindo said in the Monday email.
“Social justice issues are taken very seriously and RHS will handle this situation,” Monzingo said Friday, adding that the incident has been resolved.
The mother of one of the accused boys called The Reporter to tell what she felt happened.
She said the incident grew out of something her son said in his government class.
“He does not support Black Lives Matter because they use looting and violence,” Tiffany Prestridge said of what her son said in class. “He does not feel that is the way to settle things peacefully and equally. In his viewpoint nothing he said was hurtful.”
Then she was reminded of some of the things the girl said the boys told her like “I wish black people were still slaves,” and “All black people look the same.”
She said those words did not come from her son.
“None of those comments were him. That was determined in the principal’s office,” she said.
She also said she had received threats on Snapchat
“I don’t apologize for raising my kids in a conservative household. I raise my kids with love and tolerance,” she said.
Monday students gathered again in their fight against racism.
Students gathered in a shopping center parking lot with signs carrying their messages to stop racism.
“We want to make a change not only in the school district, but in the community as well,” said Rockdale High School student Alondra Rubio, one of the protest organizers.
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