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VIDEO: Racist BԪַcottonBԪַ comment by B.C. student generates outrage online, response by school

Administrator says BԪַno doubt that implicit and overt discrimination is presentBԪַ in schools
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A joke about picking cotton drew outrage online, and intervention by administrators at Langley Christian School. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

An incident involving a racist joke about picking cotton, made by a student at a Langley, B.C. school has been resolved, according to a spokesperson for the school and a family member of the student who was the target.

In a social media posting that has generated more than 25,000 clicks of support and more than 700 comments, a family member, the older brother of the student, described how his sibling at the school was taking a physical education class at Langley Christian School (LCS) when the remark was made.

I hope this brings some awareness to the problem at hand. It ainBԪַt a joke. BC School systems ainBԪַt educating bout this! @josiahvese ✊🏽

BԪַHeBԪַs doing push ups [and] this white kid has the audacity to walk up to him and say BԪַkeep picking up the cotton,BԪַBԪַ and pretended to whip his back with a jumping rope, the family member recounted.

He went on to say that BԪַignorantBԪַ people who make those kind of jokes BԪַdonBԪַt even understand the hurt they are bringing.BԪַ

BԪַI hope this brings some awareness to the problem at hand.BԪַ

It happened last year, but the student didnBԪַt report it until the current school year, when the school launched an anti-racism initiative, which prompted the student to come forward, LCS head of schools Adam Woelders said.

The student who made the joke has BԪַaccepted responsibility and participated in a fully restorative and educational process,BԪַ Woelders added.

BԪַLike all schools in our community monitored by the Ministry of Education in British Columbia, LCS responds seriously to any communication or behaviour that deliberately degrades, denigrates, labels, stereotypes, incites hatred, slander, prejudice and discrimination toward anyone on the basis of oneBԪַs real or perceived sexual or gender orientation, identity, appearance, capacity, disability, ethnicity or religion,BԪַ Woelders elaborated.

BԪַNo doubt, implicit and overt discrimination is present in public and independent schools throughout the Fraser Valley region, and we all have much to do as community leaders to continue to work hard to equip staff, students and families to transform our communities for the better.BԪַ

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Hundreds of comments posted in response to the online post said such incidents are all too common.

BԪַI canBԪַt count how many times I heard a non-black kid in my school say the BԪַnBԪַ word,BԪַ one person wrote.

Another said racism is in Canada BԪַis hidden behind laughter and just kidding,BԪַ while a third described how they grew up with a best friend BԪַwho is South Sudanese, and IBԪַve watched this kinda stuff happen to her our whole childhood.BԪַ

While the family member did not respond to a request for an interview by the Langley Advance Times, the person did post a follow-up message that said the BԪַsituation was dealt with.BԪַ

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British Columbia Education Minister Rob Fleming recently announced his ministry was examining ways to work with local groups to develop a curriculum that better incorporates Black history, including the slave trade and the Underground Railroad.

Ministry staff were meeting with the B.C. Black History Awareness Society in an effort to address the needs of young people who are demanding change, Fleming said in a statement.

BԪַWe plan to listen and we are committed to working with community partners to strengthen the curriculum, to support diversity and to add to the global effort to end systemic racism,BԪַ he said.



dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, IBԪַm the guy youBԪַll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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