Reddit post on racism in schools generates debate in Cromwell

A Reddit thread this week on racism in Cromwell schools mushroomed into a full-blown community debate about bias and discrimination, with the town’s mayor, school superintendent and state senator all weighing in and more than 200 responses by midday Wednesday.

A poster with the username Original-Wealth8478 wrote Tuesday of being a Cromwell High School sophomore who had experienced racism since elementary school, from being called “a sharpie pen” to getting anonymous KKK text messages on the phone.

“I had been subjected to consistent harassment, assault and racism whether that be against me or those close to me. I moved from Hartford to Cromwell for better schooling and to escape harsh bullying but Cromwell would be absolute hell. The principal in the middle school would ignore the racism,” the message said.

“Here at the ‘wonderful’ Cromwell high school the N-word is said so freely and without consequence. They care more about the F word than the N word here, and other racial slurs. And when they do enforce it, it’s only on the black students that say it,” the poster wrote.

Over the next 24 hours, scores of Reddit users responded, with several saying they too had suffered racism in Cromwell schools.

“It is sad, but this is reality for Cromwell high school. I too, am a student of Cromwell high. The faculty does not help the situation, and when we defend ourselves we get suspended … we get penalized to the point that we have to transfer to other schools or we get expelled,” wrote user Opening--Shelter--272.

The ensuing conversation involved dozens of anonymous people posting with Reddit usernames, but the initial post carried enough credibility that Sen. Matt Lesser and Cromwell Mayor James Demetriades got involved.

“I represent Cromwell in the state senate and am horrified to read this,” Lesser wrote just hours after the original post. “If you’d like to meet to discuss any of this, please message this account or shoot me an email at matthew.lesser@cga.ct.gov.”

Lesser told the Courant late

Wednesday that he’d been in email contact with the poster.

“I’m trying to set up a meeting with the student. I was horrified by that post,” he said. “I had a conversation this morning with the Cromwell school leaders. I think we need to know more. If we’re not measuring up, we need to know how we can fix it.”

Demetriades also exchanged messages with the original poster, and wants to arrange a meeting with Lesser and schools Superintendent Enza Macri.

“This student is very brave to speak truth to power and to speak their truth. If this one student is experiencing it, then that indicates others probably are, too,” Demetriades said. “The superintendent, Sen. Lesser and myself are on the same page: We want to explore the situation further. We want to find ways we can be helpful. What the person experienced is wrong, and the student needs to feel their voice is heard.”

Demetriades said he’s hoping Lesser can help secure more state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion training for staff and students alike.