A Seneca Valley student recently received racist text messages from teammates and now that child’s mother is speaking out.
According to Amanda Latham, when her child could not attend an optional sixth grade basketball team event last week, teammates used racist slurs at the 12-year-old Erhman Crest student in a group chat.
“My husband saw the words ‘cotton field’ and so began to read through these messages and we were devastated to find that my son was victim to upwards of six players that were using racial slurs and multiple other players on that team were telling him that he was lazy.”
Latham informed the students and parents that this was not appropriate. Although there were only a few games left in the season, the team’s coach spoke with the Latham family and decided to cancel the rest of the team’s season due to the racist remarks.
Latham said she repeatedly sent emails to Seneca Valley administrators but did not receive a response then was told her messages were not getting through. Her family was then invited to a discussion this week with the other families involved which she declined as insensitive.
She went on to say that her child was pulled out of class to receive counseling. This is the fifth time Latham’s children have received racist slurs at the Seneca Valley and she wants to see the district take action.
“I’ve asked them in documented emails to please implement programs and education to help students become aware of harmful, hateful language, of what racism is and how to not use hate speech and how to be kind and encourage people, they have yet to implement anything.”
When asked for comment, the district issued a statement that said the youth community league is not affiliated with the district but the district is collaborating with the league to “establish a plan that addresses the students and parents in this situation”.
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