Evanston Principal Tells Parents Of Recent Racist Abuse At School

EVANSTON, IL — The day after a gunman killed 11 worshipers at a Philadelphia synagogue, the principal of an Evanston/Skokie District 65 school sent a letter to parents about recent instances of "hate-filled language" among students. Lincolnwood Elementary School Principal Max Weinberg said he had been hesitant to send such a message, but, in his letter sent to the school community Sunday, wrote it had become necessary to share his concerns and send a clear message that hate is not welcome at his school.

"I must share that I am deeply concerned that a crucial portion of our student body, specifically our Black students, are being made to feel unwelcome," Weinberg wrote. "I cannot allow this."

Weinberg said in recent weeks he had learned about several instances of the use of anti-black racial slurs and racist comments from elementary school students, including questioning "why black children come to this school," telling black students "this isn't your school," calling some students "dumb black boys" or "brownie," according to a copy the principal's Oct. 28 letter.

The principal asked Lincolnwood families for their partnership and support to ensure students understand they all belong. Weinberg said "discomfort around race has also led to some shaming of white children, children of Asian descent, our Latinx children, and multiracial children.

"Meanness and misunderstanding stop through education, an expectation of excellence, and a welcoming spirit," Weinberg said.

On Monday, Lincolnwood held a peace-building assembly, which Weinberg said would not speak in any detail about any specific tragedy or destructive act. But he noted plans to focus on the students' human rights, including the right to be respected regardless of race, wealth, physical characteristics or national origin and to be free from violence. He suggested parents discuss the assembly with their students at home, including how to make sure that classmates and friends, including those who are black, are cared for and "free from hurtful language or behavior."

Superintendent Paul Goren said in a statement all principals were very engaged in work to address racism at District 65 schools.

"I fully support Mr. Weinberg and we have been working directly with him on these issues," Goren said. "I had the opportunity to attend the assembly the other day and visit several of the classes as they were engaged in the Peace Circles — these are impressive first steps to address explicitly what many children and families feel."

In feedback about the peace-building assembly provided by Lincolnwood families, parents provided some reactions from students to the assembly and peace circle. One student suggested responding to a harmful comment regarding skin color by telling the targeted student "your skin is beautiful and is perfect for you," according to the feedback. Another said they "felt happy at the assembly because we were all together but sad to hear about bad things that can happen."

Goren told the Evanston Review that he has noticed an increase in racist comments at many schools around the district across multiple grade levels, although Weinberg was the first principal to take the step of sending a letter to parents about the trend. He said the comments show that adult behavior has been "trickling down" to children, Pioneer Press reported.

"We are all fed up of the violence and hatred that disrupts peacebuilding in our nation. As parents, we want this evil to disappear. How our most sacred spaces have become open to violence is mystifying and maddening," Weinberg wrote, citing the news of Pittsburgh shooting, which is being investigated as a hate crime. "Still, I hold out hope for our own community to be better and do better."

Lincolnwood's northwest Evanston attendance area includes parts of the 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th wards. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections 2018 school report card, its student population was 56 percent white in 2018, compared to a district average of 43 percent. The black population was 23 percent, one point above the district average, down from 29 percent five years ago. The 2018 data show 10 percent of Lincolnwood students identified as Hispanic, less than half of the district average. Eight percent of the school's students are multiracial and five percent are identified as Asian, according to the ISBE.

"Hate has no home and will never be welcome in District 65. Every student and staff member, regardless of race, ethnicity, mental and physical ability status, gender identity, sexual identity, citizenship status, refugee status, and religion, is a valued member of our D65 family," Goren said in a statement. "We recognize that everyone may not always feel that way and for this reason we remain committed to our equity and anti-racism efforts and working to ensure all students and staff members can feel welcome, cared for, and safe in our schools."

Board President Anya Tanyavutti posted a response to Weinberg's letter to social media on Tuesday, commending the principal for calling out the racist language and behavior he had witnessed. She wrote she was grateful the district had made efforts to have tough conversations.

"Given the historic harm that has been done by the presence of racism for generations in the form of disproportionate discipline and lack of positive representation in curriculum and low academic expectations and inhospitable environments for Black children and families, I am grateful for the investment that our district has made in preparing our professionals to facilitate conversations to expose, heal, and correct," Tanyavutti wrote, declaring families or children who express racist views should not be allowed to create a hostile environment for students of color. "Our schools should be known as anti-racist spaces and all of our children and families including our Black children and families should feel emotionally and physically safe and welcomed."

In a social media group for district parents, one mother said her children had noticed an increasing racial divide at the school, with her 9-year-old son personally experiencing racist abuse. After working to move to Evanston for better opportunities, she said she sometimes reconsidered the decision. Dozens of district parents expressed sympathy, with some describing similar experiences at other district schools. One commented that "what white children are allowed to say is absolutely unbelievable."