Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Nine-year-old Ka'Mauri Harrison was given a suspension from a Jefferson Parish School because a BB gun was seen in his home while he was taking part in a virtual school class. The child did not point the BB gun at the computer screen, but simply explained that he picked the gun off the floor after a relative tripped over it. Makes sense to do that. Right? But not to administrators of the Jefferson Parish School Board, as they suspended the child for six days which sparked outrage among Ka'Mauri's parents. There was no indication that the child made any gestures that were of a threatening nature, but that was not enough for school officials to issue a suspension. It was not a "show-tell" presentation of any nature, only a child putting away his birthday present while he just happened to be in his virtual class. He was not in a school classroom, nor did he bring a gun to school. He was at his home. The fallout from the school district's action could have far reaching consequences on Ka'Mauri's life, as it will be on his record when he was in school and could affect him in later years of his life, such as getting a job or even applying to go to college.The action by the school district once again shows how Afro-American school age children across America face different discipline punishment when it comes to alleged bad behavior in a classroom environment. But thankfully that there were others who saw the plight of Ka'Mauri predicament and are doing something about it. There is legislation in the Louisiana House of Representatives called the "Ka'Mauri Harrison Act" sponsored by Republican Troy Romero that would make public schools clarify their disciplinary policies for online learning. That is interesting that school districts' officials across the state apparently did not address that potential issue. It became an issue after a child was suspended, losing precious days from learning that can't be blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic. It's kind of like trying to round up the horses after someone forgot to close the stable's doors. But the legislation goes even further in that it will allow students like Ka'Mauri to continue their appeals even if their punishment is reduced. It might even cut back on the number of lawsuits that school districts could face through litigation, as Ka'Mauri's parents are suing the district. Communities across the nation know that school districts face mounting challenges because of COVID-19, but the Jefferson Parish Sschool District may have handled this one wrong. School is supposed to be a time filled with lifetime memories of a life that as a child, we only live once. A suspension by educators imposed on a child that never should have been, will leave a scar on Ka'Mauri's life that he won't forget. Update: According to recent(10-14)media reports, the Louisiana House of Representatives has passed a bill named in honor of nine year old Ka'Mauri Harrison, the Jefferson Parish school student who was suspended when his teacher saw him handling a BB gun during a virtual school class. Ka'Mauri had help from the community and even state Attorney General Jeff Landry. Now it is up to state representative Cleo Fields to advance the bill through the Senate.