In San Marcos, Texas, a Black mother has filed a formal complaint with the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District because her daughter told her that a white teacher allegedly stated it was OK for white students to say the N-word as long as Black people continue to use it.
According to KXAN, the Black mother, Tasha Fennell, has filed a complaint with the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District after she says the teacher made an insensitive statement regarding a racial slur.
This past Monday, Fennell addressed the school board at a San Marcos CISD meeting with questions about diversity and inclusion. She explained that her daughter, Azariah, heard a white student use the “N-word” during one of her classes at Doris Miller Jr. High School in San Marcos. Fennell said Azariah was the only Black student in that particular class and is one of few Black students in the entire school.
Back in January, Fennell filed a formal complaint. Part of the statement reads:
“A male student interrupts the class by opening the door and says, “What’s up my n—a?’” A male student in the classroom responds with, “Hey what’s up.” Azariah is sitting in the back talking to H.H., a female student. A male student says, “Dude, you can’t say that word,” while the class was still riled up from the classroom interruption.
“[The teacher] states: “If Black people can say it then white people can say it, too,” Fennell said.”
The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District released this statement:
“It will be communicated to Azariah that the Miller community understands the importance of equity and the goal is to be more sensitive to the topic and utilize the experience as a teachable moment in the future. Azariah and her friends were discussing the Black Lives Matter movement when the incident occurred. The timing of the discussion may not have been appropriate
but the nature of the conversation is relevant to Azariah’s cultural background and could be acknowledged. Principal Jessie Gipprich Martin will pull Azariah during the school day and speak to her about the incident and how it made her feel.”According to Newsweek, the district has agreed to provide additional training for school staff members and to conduct an investigation. They also asked Azariah Fennell to serve on a monthly leadership council to discuss her concerns.