Clover Park School District announcement.
Lakewood, Wash.–Clover Park School District and Stanwood-Camano School District initiated investigations into an incident at the Nov. 4 football game between Lakes and Stanwood high schools in which allegations of racial slurs were used against Lakes High School students.
The Stanwood-Camano School investigations concluded that hateful language (racial slur, N-word) was used against Lakes students in the bathroom prior to the football game and that it was more likely than not that a student used offensive language (racial slur, monkeys) in the student stands.
An investigation initiated by Clover Park School District that was conducted by an outside investigator determined findings and conclusions “based on a preponderance of the evidence, which means that based upon the evidence considered during the investigation, it is ‘more likely than not’ that an event did or did not occur as alleged.”
The investigative findings are:
- The N-word was directed at Lakes cheerleaders in the Stanwood stadium bathroom before the Nov. 4 football game, supported by four witness statements and the response to the incident.
- The N-word was used at least once by individuals in the Stanwood-side stands before the football game. This evidence is supported by four witnesses who heard the word directly.
- The N-word was used by Stanwood football players during the game. This is supported by witnesses who heard the term used directly and by witnesses who observed one Lakes player’s reaction to the term.
Clover Park School District condemns the racist behavior Lakes High School students experienced at the Stanwood High School football game. We are committed to an educational community that is inclusive, diverse and respectful.
The first steps in stamping out hate include acknowledging it happened and stating the racial slurs that were used. We encourage Stanwood-Camano School District to move forward with their stated commitments and efforts to create an inclusive community. This unfortunate event serves as a reminder that all of us have an important role in creating an environment that is inclusive and respectful for all.
From the investigation:
Incident Two Findings: The outside investigation, conducted by attorney Noel Treat, involved reviewing statements and interviewing over 50 individuals across two school districts, including others present on and off the field. The findings suggest that there was not sufficient evidence to find the use of the “N-word” by players during the game.
There always seem to be two sides to any incident.
https://mynorthwest.com/3747015/rantz-investigation-found-no-n-word-slurs-football-game-media-misleading/
This is not to excuse the use of insulting language that is racially or ethnically based. However I see a trend to call all language that might be deemed offensive as “hate speech”. Yet “hate speech” is not mentioned in the Constitution’s 1st Amendment. Unfortunately “hate speech” has often been expanded to limit debate on any topic to which someone takes objection.
Which brings me to my second point. Labeling speech as “hate speech” gives it power far beyond just the words themselves. Evidence the “n-word” which can’t even be pronounced or written except by those who casually use it within their own racial group. How many other words will be added to the hyphenated list? So ultimately “hatefull-ness” is not determined by the word itself but by the racial/ethnic group using or objecting to it. By sequestering language, you give it power it doesn’t deserve.
Lastly, you can only control your response to things that happen in your life. You cannot control the actions of others in your life. That offensive language may have been used by Stanwood students or team members is their problem to deal with. But that’s only half the equation. What about Clover Park School District students? If they consider themselves only as victims have they not given power over their lives to the Stanwood students (or anyone else) who used the insulting language?
The real question is what is Clover Park School District going to do to strengthen its students against such taunts? How will the District create within individuals and the student body the appreciation of their potential and pride of achievement as bulwarks that cannot be assailed simply by “hateful” words?
So who won the game? Did the Lakes athletes crumble after such an onslaught of ‘hate’?
Here is more evidence that our educational systems are irrevocably broken and producing handicapped boys and girls who won’t mature until their 50s. This is Stanford’s latest attempt at Newspeak:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11558067/Woke-Stanford-University-publishes-list-harmful-language-want-eliminate.html
You cannot say American according to these clowns. Tax their endowments. Have these useless universities pay off student debt, not the taxpayer.
This is not news. EVERYONE is teased, bullied, scorned, harassed–especially in high school. Is it rude? Of course. Will it cause irreparable harm? No. It is hormetic stress. We all face it. Even white kids.
Where were the other kids and/or parents who corrected these a$$hats who allegedly said these things? Another outcome of ‘stopping the bullying’ curricula our schools have adopted post Columbine. Instead of making our citizens strong, the schools/government believe they can ‘Nerfify’ the world. Doesn’t work. Now people are afraid to step in and stop something they know is wrong.
Hard times make strong men. Strong men make good times. Good times make weak men. Weak men make hard times. We are at the very beginning of some very hard times.