LTHS Parents Differ On Racism On Campus

La Grange IL

19 May, 2022

1:00 PM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL – Three parents offered different views on the existence of racism at Lyons Township High School. They spoke at this week's school board meeting. Over the last year, equity issues at schools have divided communities across the country. Sheri Zierdt, a Chinese American from Western Springs, said she had memories on the playground with children yelling at her, "Ching chong," making slanted eyes, and uttering racist chants. She said she never told anyone because of the "incredibly popular" statement at the time, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." "But we also know that hateful words can have a long-term impact on mental health," Zierdt said. Zierdt said a Lyons Township student was attacked in February with "ugly, hateful insults" for simply celebrating Black History Month online. "I'd like to thank my daughter's U.S. history teacher, who during that time led discussions in her classroom about the incidents that were going on on campus," Zierdt said. Western Springs resident Janelle Towne said she disagreed with the school's approach toward diversity and equity issues. She referred to the recent attack on the school's South Campus, which a student filmed. "Many of us think it is not an effective program," Towne said. "We saw what happened in the viral video that went all over social media when that attack occurred in the school's halls." Towne said she never heard of anything like the incident occurring when her two older children attended the school. "Everybody got along with everybody. Nobody talked about what color skin their friend had," said Towne, who is white. "They were friends." She said she told her children not to judge people based on the color of their skin. "I taught my children not to see that," Towne said. "I taught them to get to know people. I don't care what the gender is. I don't care if you're a lesbian or you're gay. None of that matters to me." She said she founded an organization that primarily helps African Americans and disadvantaged people. La Grange resident Camille Alvarez said she is a proud La Grange resident. Her family has been in town for five generations. "When people ask me about LT, I have to tell them LT is a great school. You should move to La Grange, we have a great downtown," said Alvarez, an African American. "I say that to anyone who asks. But if it's a Black parent asking me that, there's a caveat. I have to give them a disclaimer. LT is a great school, but – it's a big but – you're going to have to work every day and fight for your kids for the most mundane things." She said she was often met with a "no" for her daughter, even if they met all the rules. "I know that because I went to LT, because my father went to LT, my grandmother went to LT," Alvarez said. "Someone who moves into the district does not know that. They don't realize that if you don't fight LT or the school in general, your kid might just get passed by on the wayside. They may get suspended, expelled unfairly."