Student Poll Measures Tolerance at LHS

Taylor Johnson, editor-in-chief of The Colonel, said she first thought of conducting a survey on racial attitudes at Ledyard High School in observance of Black History Month.  But tragic events during the year, including the suicide of a gay Rutgers student last September, merely reinforced that tolerance is not only about skin color.

The survey, conducted in December and published in the January/February edition of The Colonel, attempts to measure LHS student attitudes about race and sexual orientation. The 10-question survey was distributed to the entire student body and 502 responded, or about 54 percent.

LHS English teacher William Friskey, advisor for The Colonel, said the questions were modeled after similar surveys conducted by the national media.

To the first question, – “How big a problem is racism in our school today?” – 28.8 percent said it is not a problem, 17.6 percent said it is somewhat of a problem and 18.3 percent were unsure. Only 5.5 percent said racism is a big problem.

This compares to an ABC News/Washington Post survey of high school students in which 33 percent nationally said racism is a big problem, 42 percent said it is somewhat of a problem and only 5 percent said it is not a problem.

The Colonel survey also asked students to indicate whether they think it is immoral to be in a gay or lesbian relationship. In response, 68 percent said no, 18.5 percent said yes and 13.5 percent were unsure.

This compares to the national survey in which respondents were fairly evenly divided, with 50 percent saying no, 48 percent saying yes and 2 percent unsure.

Johnson said she was impressed with the survey results, especially the responses to questions about racism and sexual orientation.  

“I was a little surprised,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Johnson attributed in part the seemingly higher tolerance level at Ledyard High School to the large number of Navy families that are represented.

“Because we have so many military families, we’ve always been in the habit of welcoming new people, and accepting of new people who come to this school,” said Johnson, a varsity soccer co-captain who also is design editor of the LHS yearbook.

Non-Caucasian students comprise about a fifth of the student body at Ledyard High School. In addition, nearly 10 percent of the students who responded to the Colonel survey identified themselves as being either bisexual or homosexual.

“For the most part, at least in my experience, the student body at Ledyard High School has always been very accepting,” said Johnson, a senior, who is planning to pursue a career in elementary education.

The article that accompanied the survey results included comments from school Principal Louis Gabordi, who said he was not surprised by the results of the survey. He credited the positive influence of parents as one factor in the prevailing attitudes at Ledyard High School.

“[There are] families in Ledyard that are progressive thinkers, and in raising their kids, help them understand we’re people, and that our differences are superficial,” Gabordi is quoted in the article.

Gabordi also credited the school-based organization More Than Words, which promotes racial diversity and understanding.  “More Than Words has had a big effect, along with other groups which help us understand our differences are minor and help create the atmosphere we have at LHS,” he said.

The Survey and Results:

1. How big a problem is racism in our school today?

• A big problem: 5.5%
• Somewhat of a problem: 17.6%
• Not a problem: 28.8%
• Unsure: 18.3%

 2. Do you think African Americans have achieved racial equality?

• Have achieved: 48.3%
• Will soon achieve: 25.4%
• Won’t achieve in lifetime: 5.5%
• Will never achieve: 5.5%

3. In general, do you think African Americans have as good a chance as white people in your community to get any kind of job for which they are qualified?

• As good a chance: 67.6%
• Not as good a chance: 17.8%
• Unsure: 14.6%

4. If you honestly assessed yourself, would you say that you have at least some feelings of racial prejudice?

• Yes: 26.7%
• No: 60.4%
• Unsure: 12.9%

5. Do you know someone whom you consider racist or who makes racist comments here at LHS?

• Yes: 62.5%
• No: 26.5%

6. Do you think only a few white people at LHS dislike African Americans?

• Only a few: 86.5%
• Many: 11%
• Almost all: 2.5%

7. Do you think only a few African Americans at LHS dislike white people?

• Only a few: 77.8%
• Many: 17.7
• Almost all: 4.5%

8. With what sexual orientation do you most closely associate yourself?

• Heterosexual: 90.3%
• Bisexual: 7.4%
• Homosexual: 2.3%

9. In your opinion, is it immoral to be in a gay or lesbian relationship?

• Yes: 18.5%
• No: 68%
• Unsure: 13.5%

10. Should gays and lesbians be allowed to serve openly in the military?

• Yes: 69.3%
• No: 16.9%
• Unsure: 13.8%