The following are examples of racism that Davis Joint Unified School District has allowed to take place for decades:
- The use of the “N” word by students on a daily basis at school.
- Discrimination against minority students and verbally harassing them.
- Minority students receiving lower grades.
- Counselors dismiss minority students as not smart and students that will not accomplish anything in life.
- Lack of hiring people of color for administrative positions.
- The administration knows of parents’ complaints and not making systematic changes.
- Teachers kicking out of their classrooms minority students because they are bothered to have them in their classes.
- Teachers asking minority students to apologize for actions they have not taken.
- Countless recent examples of racism with writings and painting on school premises.
Emails of Incidents
———- Forwarded message ———
From: School Administrators
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 2:12 PM
Subject: DSHS Identity-Based Harm Discovery (10/30/24)
To: Parents
Dear Davis Senior High School Students and Families:
Yesterday morning, a staff member reported finding a baseball with a swastika and racial epithets toward our Black community written on it. This event was documented and reported to Davis PD immediately. Administration will continue to investigate in an effort to identify the individual or individuals who inscribed these hateful words and symbol.
We are following our district-wide identity-based harm protocol which includes keeping our community informed of this kind of incident. Campus security scanned the campus for any other discriminatory language on campus and nothing else was discovered. If any of you see harmful language and/or symbols on our campus, please let an administrator know as soon as possible. Additionally, if you receive any information that could assist this investigation, please share it with an administrator.
The symbol of a swastika and racial epithets are particularly harmful for our Jewish and African-American staff and students, as well other groups who have been targeted by these symbols and words, and have a negative impact on our entire campus community, as hate symbols and speech carry great weight and concern. I want to reiterate there is no place for these acts on our campus and within our community. It is my belief that we are building a community where students will hold each other accountable if they see acts like this taking place in front of them.
Our district leadership takes these incidents of racism and antisemitism very seriously. They will continue the work with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory for Combating Dehumanizing Language, Symbols and Behaviors as we develop actions for meeting these disturbing events.
We will continue to work to ensure our campus is a safe and welcoming place for Jewish students and staff, and Black, African American, and African heritage students and staff to work and learn. If there is anything I can do to support you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
In solidarity,
School Administrators
———- Forwarded message ———
From: DJUSD Admibistrator
Date: October 22, 2024 at 2:02:01 PM PDT
Subject: Graffiti found in restroom
Reply-To: DJUSD Admibistrator
Dear Holmes Families:
Yesterday after lunch, a student discovered the n-word written on the library boys’ restroom stall. Campus security scanned the campus for any other graffiti or vandalism and nothing else was discovered. It was documented and reported to Davis PD immediately, before being removed. Davis PD also documented the incident and took pictures of the graffiti.
We followed our district-wide protocol which includes keeping our community informed of all identity-based harm. We take incidents like this very seriously and the investigation is ongoing; if you or your student see additional graffiti on our campus, please let a trusted adult know as soon as possible.
The n-word is particularly harmful for our Black and African-American staff and students and harms our entire campus community. Racist language has no place on our campus. We want all staff and students to feel empowered to hold each other accountable if they see acts of hate like this taking place in front of them. We will work to educate and hold any individuals involved accountable for their actions as we will not tolerate hateful language or actions. Counseling is available for students who would like support to process this incident. If there is anything we can do to support you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
In solidarity,
DJUSD Administrators
———- Forwarded message ———
From: School Administrator
Date: October 1, 2024 at 2:39:46 PM PDT
Subject: Graffiti at Holmes
Reply-To: School Administrator
Dear Holmes Families:
This morning, a student discovered the n-word written on the B/C wing boys’ bathroom wall. Campus security scanned the campus for any other graffiti or vandalism and nothing else was discovered. It was documented and reported to Davis PD immediately, before being removed.
We followed our district-wide protocol which includes keeping our community informed of all identity-based harm. We take incidents like this very seriously and the investigation is ongoing; if you or your student see additional graffiti on our campus, please let a trusted adult know as soon as possible.
The n-word is particularly harmful for our Black and African-American staff and students and harms our entire campus community. Racist language has no place on our campus. We want all staff and students to feel empowered to hold each other accountable if they see acts of hate like this taking place in front of them. We will work to educate and hold any individuals involved accountable for their actions as we will not tolerate hateful language or actions. Counseling is available for students who would like support to process this incident. If there is anything we can do to support you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
In solidarity,
School Administrators
———- Forwarded message ———
From: School Administrator
Date: Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Subject: Identity-Based Harm on Campus (10/8)
To: Parents
Dear Davis Senior High School Students and Families:
This afternoon, a staff member discovered a swastika written on a raised concrete bench surrounding the Thong Hy Huynh Memorial Garden. It was documented and reported to Davis PD immediately before being removed. Administration will continue to investigate in an effort to identify the individual who wrote the symbol.
We followed our district-wide identity-based harm protocol which includes keeping our community informed of the hate symbol incident. Campus security scanned the campus for any other graffiti or vandalism and nothing else was discovered. If any of you see additional graffiti and/or damage to our campus, please let an administrator know as soon as possible. Additionally, if you receive any information that could assist this investigation, please share it with an administrator.
The symbol of a swastika is particularly harmful for our Jewish staff and students, and other groups who have been targeted by the swastika, and have a negative impact on our entire campus community, as hate symbols carry great weight and concern. I want to reiterate there is no place for these acts on our campus and within our community. It is my belief that we are building a community where students will hold each other accountable if they see acts like this taking place in front of them.
We will continue to work to ensure our campus is a safe and welcoming place for Jewish students and staff to work and learn. If there is anything I can do to support you or your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
In solidarity,
DJUSD Administrator