Students walk out over bullying, racism
LANCASTER – Students from Lancaster High School walked out of class Thursday during a peaceful demonstration to protest bullying and racism.
Nearly two dozen teens stood with a Black Lives Matter flag and other signs near the teacher's lot in front of the school's entrance, calling for staff and administrators to address their concerns.
Mayria Knotts, a senior at Lancaster High School, said she wants students who threaten classmates to be held accountable for their actions.
“The students that are threatening to kill students of color and stuff, they should be getting in trouble,” Knotts said. “That's what we're here for, is the threatening and the slurs. We want kids to get in trouble for that kind of thing because it shouldn't stand in this school.”
“We understand that we can't do that kind of thing outside of school,” Knotts said. “We understand that we can't stop people from being racist or threatening us outside of school. But in school, this is supposed to be our safe place... We shouldn't have to tolerate this in schools and our school, specifically.”
Senior Chloe Watkins walked out in support of her classmates who were allegedly on the receiving end of hateful and racist comments in school.
“If there is time for racism to happen during school hours, then there is time to fight racism during school hours,” Watkins said. “When people are scared to go to school because they're afraid they're going to be called slurs, or get death threats, or have hate crimes against them, then they can't learn because they're too focused on that.”
According to Watkins, Lancaster High School students have allegedly been bullied based on skin color, gender, and orientation.
“All we ask is for there to be more punishment towards people for doing that sort of thing,” Watkins said.
Senior Raven Williams called on school administrators and staff to help address and resolve issues involving racism and bullying.
“Every time, they say they hear us, but they never listen,” Williams said.
Junior Tristan Serecky compared his experience with bullying and racism at Lancaster to his time living in Colorado.
“It's just a way different experience from out there to here,” Serecky said. “People out there [in Colorado] don't care what color you are. Out here, it's all bullying and racial slurs... It's not right. None of it is right.”
Lancaster City Schools Superintendent Nathan Hale addressed the protest in a media release Thursday morning, saying there is no place for racism within the district.
“Our mission to make Lancaster City Schools the Place to Be for Learning, Caring and Succeeding exemplifies the conviction that every human deserves the right to be respected and given maximum opportunities to succeed in a safe, caring, environment,” Hale said in the statement.
According to the release, the district will engage its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant to work with administrators and staff to address these concerns.
“In the meantime, it is important that we affirm our commitment to regard each person we serve as an individual, regardless of the color of their skin, and provide a learning environment and a workspace based on equity and truth,” Hale said. “We will continue to provide physically safe buildings and emotionally safe classrooms for everyone who walks through the door.”
Logan Weaver is a news reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-277-8396 or via email at laweaver@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @loganaweaver.