The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of The Prowler.

The Fight Against Racism (FAR) club sent out a survey to students at deToledo at the end of 2020, asking if they have ever witnessed or experienced racism. Here are just a few of the anonymous answers they received:

“I’ve heard about multiple teachers saying the n-word and defending that action…I’ve seen white students singing along to music and saying that word out loud…I’ve heard student-athletes speak about players of color on opposing terms in stereotypical terms that might not have been actually accurate…that’s what’s coming to mind, but I’m sure there’s more.” 

“I don’t think [racism is] normalized, but the kids who do say slurs, racial jokes, etc. just don’t know the reason why it’s wrong to say those things and don’t understand/ never have learned, and the same thing goes for the people who hear these things but don’t say anything about it. It’s usually people who just don’t know why exactly it’s wrong. It’s just a word or a joke to them.” 

Reading the survey comments completely shocked me; many students from deToledo have used racial slurs and are so uneducated about racism in general. I was so troubled because of the many clubs and activities deToledo offers students and teachers to become anti-racist, but unfortunately, it’s not enough. deToledo needs to take more action to educate students and teachers because this is unacceptable. For students, there are many ways to educate themselves and one another. de Toledo offers many clubs that deal with racism and homophobia, sexual assault, feminism, etc. 

Other responses we got on the survey were ignorant and disappointing.  

 “[R]aceisum is like an onion it has lyers [sic].”

“One time I was walking into a KFC and I asked if they had kosher chicken. I also asked if the chicken was a boy or a girl and they said it was gender fluid. After that, they got really upset that I thought that KFC was kosher. They were also biased with gender discrimination against chickens.???” 

These two responses were clearly a joke. Racism, and any kind of discrimination, is not funny or something to be making a joke of whatsoever. It shows how insensitive some students at deToledo are and that we need to work hard for a change. 

“One time when I went to the city. Everyone called me a cracker a-s honkey, and African American people didn’t treat me nice or give me service. It made me realize that black people can be racist towards white people.” 

“IT sucks that people don’t believe that white people can also experience racism. [I]t has and can happen, and I think we should also talk about that.”

These responses are also very ignorant and prove that students at deToledo need to educate themselves better on racism. White people cannot experience racism. Oppressors cannot be oppressed, even though it might have felt like you experienced racism. The roots of racism come from white people enslaving black people, so we really can’t be oppressed. 

The Fight Against Racism (FAR) club at deToledo is a phenomenal way to educate yourself and others on acts of discrimination and racism. On Feb. 2 and Feb. 9, 2021, FAR members joined with Tikkun olam volunteers and the Anti-Defamation League  in an after-school community service program  informing participants how to become a better ally. FAR club meets Tuesdays at lunch to plan anti-racism programs.

As a school, we need to work together to educate and inform one another on acts of racism and how we can all be better allies.