A Michigan family has filed a lawsuit against the Portage Public School District, alleging that their two Black children were subjected to severe racial harassment by white peers, including being called racial slurs and subjected to racist imagery. The lawsuit further claims that school administrators failed to adequately address the harassment, citing a lack of specific policies against racial discrimination.

The harassment included incidents such as students calling the children “n*gger,” “monkey,” and “ape,” telling them to “go pick some cotton,” and sharing racist text messages and images, including photos of Klansmen and a student in blackface. The lawsuit also details an incident where the school bus driver, Bob Hayworth, allegedly chased one of the children while shouting racial slurs.

Despite repeated complaints from the parents, the school administration allegedly failed to take meaningful action. They reportedly admitted that no specific policies existed to address racial harassment, focusing primarily on issues like staff misconduct and physical harm. This lack of clear policies and a consistent response to the harassment left the children feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

The family ultimately removed their children from the school district due to the ongoing harassment and the perceived lack of support from school officials. The children have reportedly experienced significant emotional distress, including anxiety and depression, as a result of their experiences.

This lawsuit adds to a growing body of legal challenges against school districts across the country regarding their handling of racial harassment and discrimination. It highlights the need for schools to implement robust policies and procedures to address these issues effectively and ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.