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Protests Erupt in Langley, B.C. Against Racism in Schools
A Grade 7 student in Langley, British Columbia, took a stand against what she and her supporters describe as a persistent failure by school authorities to adequately address issues of racism. Amy McGregor, along with fellow students and parents, organized a protest outside her elementary school, Dorothy Peacock Elementary, highlighting the need for a more proactive approach to combatting racial slurs and bullying.
The 12-year-old student recounted her experiences with racism, including being subjected to the N-word and being pressured to allow classmates to use a so-called “N-pass,” a term that grants permission to use the racial slur. “Since the beginning of the school year, I’ve been called names and faced other forms of bullying,” she shared. “Just like name calling, calling me ramen hair, saying I have a big forehead. It did kind of hurt me a little bit. They don’t really understand those things.”
Despite expressing her disapproval and attempting to stand up against these taunts, Amy noted that the harassment persisted. Her father, Niven McGregor, took the lead in organizing the protest, articulating frustrations over the school’s inaction despite ongoing communication with officials about the problem. He observed a troubling increase in the number of students engaging in this bullying behavior. “The school principal was well aware of things happening late November and early December as well,” he explained, “which made me feel they recognized the racial issues, yet there was little feedback provided to parents.”
Response from the School District
The Langley School District issued a statement indicating that they had met with parents to discuss the ongoing issues and affirmed their commitment to investigating the situation. However, Niven McGregor, originally from South Africa, expressed dissatisfaction regarding the adequacy of the school’s response. He emphasized the urgent need for a zero-tolerance policy towards racism. “Racism is not something new, so we can’t wait on new policies to address it,” he remarked. “Even if the kids don’t understand the gravity of what is happening to them, they need education on the history of how hateful and destructive racism can be.”
Amy underscored her determination to raise awareness about the racism she faces. “I don’t want things like this to kind of slide away and not be talked about,” she stated. Her father echoed her sentiment, stressing the importance of community involvement in eradicating racism. “This protest is a collective effort to send a clear message to the public; these kids represent the community. It’s not just the school’s responsibility to educate the kids, but ours too,” he said.
The incident in Langley reflects a broader societal issue, as many communities grapple with the challenges of systemic racism and the educational institutions’ role in addressing these concerns. The McGregor family’s efforts serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive measures to create inclusive and respectful environments for all students.
Source
globalnews.ca