Social Media Post's Missed Opportunity

 

January 27, 2022

West Monroe Rebs

All of the dust over a video that went viral of a West Monroe High School student allegedly using racial slurs will take a little longer to settle. The video went viral about a week ago after threats were rumored at the school's campus, causing some parents to check their children out of school. The presence of extra law enforcement was seen at the school though school officials would later say that there were no credible threats made at the school. The video, allegedly made by a female student from West Monroe, displayed her using racist language, warning views to be wary of certain Black neighborhoods in Monroe. Many speculate the video was allegedly recorded in 2021 but went viral in 2022 as many shared the video online. One minority student from the school reportedly confronted the teen, asking if she had made the video. The reply was allegedly not an admission but that the footage was never supposed to get out to the public; someone had gotten a copy of it and shared it. Another minority student said that it made her very uncomfortable knowing that someone felt and said things like that at her school. One other student said that one could feel the tension from everybody because of the sensitivity of the words stated, as the school has had racist issues in the past. Not long ago, a West Monroe student who was slated to enroll at LSU was found to have made racial remarks in a video as well. There was a petition for the university not to enroll that student in response to their tasteless actions. In addition, the Monroe Dispatch published an article sharing how some former West Monroe High alumni petitioned the Ouachita Parish School Board over the school's "Rebel" nickname because of its symbolism and connotations glorifying the Confederacy. Though the school has dropped the mascot, that of a Confederate soldier, and use of the flag, the nickname still remains. The school issued a statement that some say addressed the perceived threat and that the words of that female student, not those of the former student, do not "reflect the feelings or teachings" at West Monroe High School. While it may be difficult to know or gauge the feelings of any student or employee at the school, there is evidence that those feelings exist. The statement went on to talk about the "teachings" at the school, leaving the solution in plain sight. Schools are institutes for guidance, no matter the grade level. When there is a diverse group of students, there should be a class to offer an understanding of racial and cultural differences. If students are taught about accepting those who do not look like them, there will be more tolerance and respect. This is yet another glaring reason why Critical Race Theory (CRT) is necessary, so there is more understanding and kids do not grow up indoctrinated to feel guilty or less than because of race. If the truth, not propaganda, is taught, we positively prepare our future generations to work better together. If the teaching does not come from school, from where will it come? Is it coming from religious teaching? Where else? We should not let another teachable moment slip through our grasp once again. A mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste. Let's not waste it on racism.

 

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