Chesapeake Public Schools says it is reviewing concerns after a parent alleged racial language was directed at her son during a basketball game.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A parent raised concerns Monday night about alleged racial language directed at her son during a high school basketball game, prompting a response from Chesapeake Public Schools.
In a statement, the district said it is aware of concerns surrounding Friday’s game and takes the matter seriously.
“We take all reports involving student conduct, including allegations of inappropriate or discriminatory language seriously,” the school division said.
Because the matter involves students, the school division said it cannot comment on specific individuals or potential discipline.
“Because this matter involves students, we are unable to comment on specific individuals or potential disciplinary actions,” the statement read. “There are clear procedures in place for reviewing concerns at the school level and in coordination with the VHSL.”
During the Feb. 9 Chesapeake School Board meeting, parent Tiana Morton spoke during public comment, saying racial language was directed at her son during an athletic event.
“Recently, during an athletic event, racial language was directed toward my son,” Morton said.
She said the behavior continued during the game and was not directly addressed.
“Instead of the behavior being directly addressed, teams were instructed to only speak to their teammates for the rest of their game. The behavior continued, no protections were put into place, and ultimately my son was removed from the game for his adverse response to racial harassment,” she said.
Morton told the board she has repeatedly advocated for safety measures for her son.
“On multiple occasions, I have had to repeatedly advocate for accommodations and safety measures to protect my son,” she said.
She said her confidence in the district has been shaken.
“When safety measures depend on how persistent a parent is, rather than consistent district procedures, families begin to lose confidence in the system meant to protect their children,” Morton said.
Morton asked the board to examine how racial harassment incidents are handled and called for transparency, accountability, staff training, and proactive protection plans. She also referenced Great Bridge High School and said her son no longer starts on the basketball team following complaints made against his coach.
The district said it is committed to ensuring school-sponsored events provide a safe and respectful environment. On Tuesday morning, Morton sat down with 13News Now to share what the past few days have been like for her and her family. She said her son, a sophomore at Great Bridge High School, has always had a love for the game of basketball. But she said repeat offenses of what she considers to be racial injustice against her son have led him to question his self-worth.
“He’s explained that it’s made him, you know, question, all these situations have made him question who he is, and is he what they all have said true, or just all these different remarks that they’ve made to him throughout this season, ” said Morton, “So, I think it’s kind of shaken him a bit. And he did say that this situation, specifically hearing the Hickory parents cheer as he was being escorted off the court after going through what he went through… he said it really hurt his feelings.
Morton described last Friday’s matchup between Great Bridge and Hickory High School as an emotionally intense game, but added that it’s typical. But the mother said she never expected to hear racial slurs directed toward her son on several occasions.
“A few of the teammates on the bench, on Hickory’s bench, are the ones that yelled, ‘It’s not a foul. You dumb n- word stop crying,’ is what they said, Morton exclaimed.
She tells 13News Now her son did physically react the opposing player who said the racial slurs. As a result, her son was ejected from the game and suspended from Tuesday night’s game.
“But if it’s been confirmed that the word was used, no one will say who said it. Why do they still get to play? And my son is sitting there, and there’s two games left of the season,” Morton questioned.
Morton shared she was left with no choice but to take her concerns to social media before addressing the school board directly on Monday.
“I need everyone to understand we did exhaust every option when it came to going to the principal, when it came to going to the athletic director at Great Bridge,” said Morton.
As an early childhood educator herself, Morton is calling on all people working with children to understand the influential power they hold.
“These children need us to be what they’re lacking and what they need later. So we need to figure out how to do that now,” said Morton.
Before meeting with 13News Now, Morton said she had a meeting with the Chesapeake Public Schools Director of Student Services, where, for the first time, she said she received an apology from school division officials about what her child has endured.
“I did feel like today was a good step in the right direction,” said Morton, “Now, it’s not over, and we have a long way to go.”