South Orange School Reports Racist Graffiti; List Of Local Bias Incidents Grows

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — More recent incidents of apparent racism in the South Orange area have surfaced, this time at South Orange Middle School, authorities say.

For two consecutive days this week, South Orange Middle School has seen racist graffiti appear in its bathrooms, according to school officials.

Officials labeled the first incident – which included the words “Naughty N****** Get Lynched” scrawled into a bathroom stall – as a “hate crime,” TAP Into SOMA reported.

South Orange police are investigating the incident, which Principal Lynn Irby said was “extremely disheartening and concerning, especially following our ongoing lessons and discussions about racism, bigotry and Anti-Semitism.”

But the lesson may not have sunk in for some students; the next day, similar racist graffiti was discovered in another bathroom stall in the school, authorities said.

Following the second incident, Irby sent a letter to parents and guardians at the school, which TAP Into SOMA reprinted here.

“We reported this to the SOPD as a bias incident, and the SOPD has already begun an investigation,” Irby wrote. “We are continuing the work which I described yesterday to address these specific issues and to foster inclusivity and acceptance. We held a 6th grade town hall today to talk about the hateful graffiti words and the hurtful impact they have on us both as individuals and as a school community. Classroom discussions are ongoing. I am also continuing to reach out to community leaders so that we can partner together to address incidents and attitudes of bias, and to promote respect and value for the commonalities and differences between the various members of our SOMS and larger communities.”

The school has seen other recent racist incidents, including an Instagram post allegedly made by South Orange Middle School students that featured swastikas surrounded by Stars of David, symbols of the Soviet Union, raised middle fingers and a photo of the collapse of the World Trade Center, set against a background of the rainbow flag, according to The Village Green.

• See related article: South Orange Students Make Racist Instagram Posts, Reports Say

RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM

The area has seen other alleged instances of racism and anti-Semitism in the past year, reports say.

In May, two students at Columbia High School in Maplewood reportedly posted an Instagram photo of themselves in what appears to be blackface makeup.

In late February, an explosion of anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered near South Mountain Reservation, prompting officials to label it a “disgusting” and “senseless” act that has no place in their community.

• See related article: ‘Disgusting’ Swastika Graffiti Appears At South Mountain Reservation

The Jewish Community Center in West Orange has stepped up security in the wake of repeated, nationwide bomb threats, including one made to the center on March 31.

• See related article: Support Grows For West Orange Jewish Center After National Wave Of Threats

A cane-wielding teen allegedly smashed up a menorah display hanging in Spiota Park during the third night of Hanukkah last December, South Orange police say.

• See related article: South Orange Menorah Display Trashed By Cane-Wielding Teen

South Orange police arrested an 18-year-old Orange resident and four juveniles after they allegedly shouted racial slurs at a passing family and assaulted a teen in February of 2016.

• See related article: Bias Crime Reported In Downtown South Orange

THE FIGHT AGAINST HATE

Despite the mounting list of alleged bias incidents in the area, many residents in South Orange have also been vocal against discrimination and hatred in their community.

In February, South Orange – following on the heels of their neighbor township Maplewood - unanimously approved Resolution #2017-027, a Sanctuary City declaration that local activists lauded as a resounding victory for immigrant rights in North Jersey.

• See related article: South Orange Offers Immigrants Sanctuary, Passes Resolution (PHOTOS)
• See related article: Maplewood 1st N.J. Town To Offer Immigrants ‘Sanctuary’ In 2017

In January, students at South Orange Middle School and Columbia High School held walkouts in protest of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, marching peacefully out of school and chanting “Love Not Hate.”

• See related article: South Orange, Maplewood Students Hold Walkouts To Protest Trump Inauguration

Main photo of South Orange pro-sanctuary city rally in February: Matt Peyton Photography

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