ACLU Alleges Racially Hostile Paw Paw Schools Environment – District Denies It

pawpawredskins

Michigan ACLU attorney Mark Fancher says there’s a disturbing and distinct pattern of racial harassment and intimidation within the Paw Paw School District. He says it’s exacerbated by the use of the “Redskins” name for the high school athletic teams.

“There is a strong possibility if not likelihood that what exists in the Paw Paw school district is a racially hostile educational environment that possibly violates the Civil Rights Act and Michigan’s civil rights law as well. The climate of intimidation is so strong within the community that the individuals we’ve been able to speak with who are victims of racism within the school district are so terrified and intimidated that they’re not prepared to play the role of client.”

Paw Paw Schools Superintendent Sonia Lark’s written statement responding to the ACLU said “The district has not received any racial harassment complaints from students in the past two years. These allegations are not consistent with the treatment of students and staff at Paw Paw schools. We cannot control the perceptions that others have about this topic.”

The ACLU cites use of the N word and anti-Latino language as well as an incident where a Paw Paw resident was allegedly punched in the face for supporting changing the “redskins” high school athletic team name. The ACLU is calling on Walmart to stop selling “Redskins” logo athletic clothing  at its Paw Paw store.

“We believe that the use of that name for the high school only contributes to the racial tension that apparently exists within the school district.”