A Massachusetts school is embroiled in stress after college students reportedly endured racist bullying in a “slave auction” on Snapchat, with the college’s response drawing ire from some in the neighborhood.
“It has become glaringly evident that there is a serious lack of understanding and commitment among the administrative leadership to ensure the safety and well-being of all students because of their race and or ethnicity,” Allyson Lopez, the mom of one of many alleged victims of bullying who was reportedly bid on within the on-line public sale, told local outlet WWLP.
She mentioned assembly with district directors left her “profoundly disillusioned” regardless of her hopes for “meaningful change.”
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College students at a Massachusetts college return from winter break on Monday and can attend an meeting for open dialogue, help, and steering on navigating difficult conditions each inside and out of doors of faculty,” according to WWLP. (iStock)
Southwick Regional School, which educates students grades 7-12, became rattled by the controversy in recent weeks after the online incident led students to complain about derogatory bullying.
The local NAACP also got in on the case, intervening on behalf of a Black student who said he was subjected to racially insensitive language and behavior in addition to the “on-line slave public sale.”
“How can an investigation concerning the bullying and harassment of a scholar not embrace communication with the sufferer?” Bishop Talbert Swan, the president of Greater Springfield NAACP, wrote in a letter to the district superintendent.
Local media reported that Swan made a complaint to the school on the student’s behalf and alleged that, though the investigation into the incident is closed, the student was never approached by the administration for questioning.
According to local outlets, students at a Massachusetts school were bullied during an online “slave public sale” on Snapchat. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Local reports also highlighted students returning to class after winter break on Monday will be met with increased police presence to help foster feelings of safety and security.
Students will also be expected to attend an assembly “for open dialogue, help, and steering on navigating difficult conditions each inside and out of doors of faculty,” Superintendent Jennifer Willard said in a statement published by WWLP.
Willard wrote about the incident at length in the statement, additionally assuring the community, “We’re dedicated to offering further assets to coach each our workers and college students on related matters. We can be enlisting exterior specialists to guide discussions, provide coaching, and equip our faculty group with the required instruments to handle related conditions sooner or later.”
She continued, “Sustaining a protected and inclusive studying surroundings is of utmost significance. We encourage open communication and collaboration as we work collectively to handle these challenges and fortify our group.”
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Allyson Lopez says her daughter was one of the Massachusetts school’s students who was the subject of racist bullying online.
In Lopez’s own statement to the outlet, she talked of how the incident impacted her daughter and said her role as a mother is to support her through the trauma.
“The latest revelation of a web based slave public sale, orchestrated by people throughout the scholar physique, just isn’t solely abhorrent however indicative of a systemic failure inside our faculty district to handle and eradicate racism,” Lopez said, according to WWLP. “Any baby or group of kids who can stoop to such a wicked and demented act should be met with swift and decisive motion.”
Superintendent Willard and Principal Serena Shorter have been taking additional measures following the incident, with each holding meetings with specific groups – students and staff and affected families.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Southwick Regional School for further comment.
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