Ferndale Unified School District Responds to Allegations of Racism That Eventually Led to Forfeiting Game With Hoopa
Ferndale High School [Image cropped from a photo on Ferndale Unified School District’s webpage]
At Thursday night’s girls’ basketball game between Ferndale High and Hoopa High, student fans were accused of racist behavior. The next day, the Ferndale High boys’ varsity basketball team forfeited their game against Hoopa High. As a result, leaders at Ferndale Unified School District (FUSD) hope to work with leaders from Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District to identify and address any racism among their students.
FUSD Superintendent and Ferndale High School Principal Beth Anderson said, “Racism is unacceptable by anyone, anywhere, anytime. The students who acted inappropriately Thursday evening are embarrassed and apologetic, as they should be. They’ve been disciplined. What I’m hoping we can do now is use this opportunity to teach all students how to recognize and respond to racism to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.”
Anderson emphasized that racist behavior is not the norm in Ferndale, not in the schools and not in the community, but that those who perpetuate fear and hate can sometimes influence others.
She said, “After Thursday’s event, I got in touch with Hoopa High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Craig Cornelson. We took precautions to safeguard students, but we did not believe the students were at risk or we would have cancelled the game.
Unfortunately, not all the parents of varsity players had the same confidence and they kept their sons home, so the team had to forfeit.”
On the Redheaded Blackbelt blog, one parent posted, “As a parent of a Ferndale JV player, I want to say that we traveled to Hoopa last night and had a great experience. The Hoopa team, coach, and fans all treated us with respect and we did the same. On the court, before the game, the starting ten boys all shook hands. When I heard about the incident that occurred Thursday night, it made my blood boil. That behavior is not representative of all from Ferndale and definitely not representative of this family.”
In the meantime, Anderson and KTJUSD Superintendent John Ray are planning activities to improve relations between the two schools, and they are working with elected officials to build bridges in the broader communities. County Supervisor Rex Bohn has reached out to tribal leaders to seek their recommendations and hopes they can all work together to make things better.
Earlier Chapter: Allegations of ‘Derogatory and Possible Racist Remarks’ From Ferndale’s Male Varsity to Hoopa’s Girls Varsity Leads to a Ferndale Forfeit
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Good on them! Part of being a member of a team is that sometimes you have to pay for your teammates bad decisions.
How many races of people are there? One. 1. Just one, the Homo sapien sapiens. That’s it. All of our body parts are interchangeable. We all like the same things. We can have children with each other all over the world, and have great children as a result. If, as a parent, you teach your kids that because someone looks different they are inferior, you are the problem. Because someone who looks different, or talks different, or has different cultural beliefs, they are still the same as everyone else. Those who bully, or make fun of, or harass, and put some one down because they appear different, are displaying a real lack of intelligence, or reason. Aren’t these things taught in school? Don’t people study anthropology anymore? Or, maybe you are so inadequate in your feelings about yourself you have to put someone else down to validate your own worth?
And it is not just here, in the US. It is all over the world. The Koreans have been thought of as dogs or animals by the Japanese and Chinese for centuries. And inter cultural prejudice exists also. In Japan, in certain areas, if a girls hair is not black enough, she will not go to the “better ” schools. Go figure. I cannot.
Until we can learn to celebrate other cultures, through dance and food and art, and humor, will this stop.
Sounds like you’re confusing species and race. There are many racial groups but they aren’t delineate by the common black, white, asian, etc groupings.
and yes race is a social construct, as are the numbers colors we name in the rainbow or breeds of dogs.
Those are called ethnicities, not races…
Exactly. The person was pointing out how ridiculous we are always using terms like ‘white race’ or ‘black race. Whatever happened to the human ‘race’?
race is not a social construct, this is just lies meant to destroy the real concept of race.
Rainbow breeds of dogs? Your a racist.
No- that would be homocentric
Racism is not okay, but it’s almost always a two way street on how things escalated in high school sports. High schoolers are dumb, on both sides. But thank god we can hear about how Humboldt is racist again. I mean it’s been almost 2 weeks since the last fabricated ordeal.
Fabricated Mike? Maybe you should learn to read. Ferndale apologized, for something that actually happened. Nothing fabricated here. Just really sad that decades later this is still happening. I remember in the 80’s they were like this. Racists breed racists. Sad but true.
yes and they are learning now to teach them not to be racist inspite of history, It’s sad that it happened (and really happend, ot fabricated!) but a good oportunity to clarify where we all stand and keep educating the kids to avoid the overall national climate of hate and predjudice seeping in under the door!
Idiots breed idiots…except for the occasion drift from genetic and cultural disposition, and those kids usually had to raise themselves anyhow.
Sure Mike. “You also had some very fine people on both sides”
WTF?
Racism is pretty much never a two way street. There is prejudice and bigotry, and they are not the same as racism which is when a historically oppressed group gets targeted with more oppression or derisive words or actions. This is why racism is not a two way street.
Ask almost any student who has competed with hoopa over the years, it’s a double standard and always has been. There’s no articles or SJW outraging over it when it’s the other way around, which it often is. You discipline one group of students for a relatively small screw up while the other receives no discipline for committing a very serious offense, and there will always be,let’s say friction. Hold both of them to the same standard or you are nothin less than a hypocrite.
In 2013, the Wiyot and Bear River filed a suit, and a complaint with the Dept. of Education b/c their students were being systematically discriminated against by Loleta Elementary staff. The DoE did find that kids’ rights had been violated. Racism in Humboldt isn’t fabricated.
Kids learn from adults. And hopefully, the teachers and coaches will work together to intervene and teach the players and students a better way forward.
Have you even ever been to hoopa, if you are caught being white there you are in trouble and could loose your life. Racism is real and its mainly against outsiders or any type. Think of it Hoopa is a racist place, its an ethno enclave of poor government owned folks.
Funny thing — I’m white and I’ve been to Hoopa many times and have never been threatened or harmed in any way.
Maybe I’m just lucky? Or maybe your snotty attitude toward Hoopa folks gets reflected back at you.
“Government owned? ” What does that possibly mean?
I suspect it means JoJo is a racist feckless , is that right?
I went to and graduated from Hoopa High. I went to school with alot of non-Natives. Most of them are all still alive. The ones that aren’t aren’t because we did something to them . That was a ignorant remark if I ever heard one !!
Mike, You understand you are contradicting yourself, right?
Remember a time when high schoolers were smart? ?
Well you can thank the schooling below High school and the system that created the need for uniform and not so critical thinking
“Give me the boy for six years I’ll show you the man.”
Do the parents have any influence or is it all the fault of the education system?
Yeh. Jack Lakin called them “teachable moments.” Another slap on the hand. They are embarrassed. Poor kids? What are we on round 6? Parents are pulling there kids out of Ferndale because of this. Tolerance is the problem. Racism is a problem at Ferndale High. This never should have happened. Anything short of expulsion is another slap on the hand.
Correction-Tolerance for Racism is the problem
Normal people “tolerate” the humans who make mistakes, we just ask them to correct their behavior. We don’t cut off their heads.
I agree. I don’t wish harm on the kids. I have hope for them and I’m not saying they can’t change. They just need to change outside of Ferndale High. Equating expulsion to cutting off their heads?Is it that serious? Is it the end of the world if they are expelled? When I was in school kids were expelled for a gram of weed. I almost didn’t graduate because of unexcussed tarties. End of the world? No! Setting an example for the rest of the kids is the priority. That’s what I was told when I was in school. I wish they made an example of the adults that made the first racial comments at football games. Maybe this could have been avoided. This is not about holding these boys accountable for past problems. They have caused a disruption in our school and our community. For the health of the school they need to be cut loose. They need to join the adult world early. Those boys took sports too seriously. They used slurs as weapons. We have to think about current and future students.
how did you figure out who was racist? there was two schools in the story, i want to know which school is ‘racist’
Seriously? Probably the one that apologized to the other one, that would be the racist school? Wow!
well if you read it, it just says students are apologetic. so students from both schools could have yelled racist comments, i dont know thats why i asked
Or not. Depending on the facts.
The conclusions are many but the facts are few.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/01/24/third-kentucky-bishop-apologizes-covington-catholic-high-school-students/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.361f7fc33872
Liberal socialist communism (Utopian Society) is sweeping America, for the world government, it will have a tough time penetrating Ferndale! Maybe they will do an “Outbreak” again and eliminate the town!
Peabrain dumb as sin Conservatism is ruining America. It will have a tough time penetrating Humboldt County. Maybe they can ship all the congenital dumb ass Conservatives to Mississippi.
Ask a Venezuelan how that socialism is working for them . Conservative govt is superior to any socialism system. For instance, the farms in Venezuela were taken over by the socialist govt. Now there is no food. Anything socialists or commies or democrats take over, it fails, and hurts people. Ask Micheal Brown how well that democrat socialist govt of Fergison Missouri worked for him. No job, no hope, that is socialism. Same for Calif. Schools are bad, over taxation, high food prices. In Texas, eggs are $1.38 for 36 eggs. Gas is $1.85 per gallon. Conservative people’s children eat and live better than those in Calif., a socialist state. I would love to ask Huffman why the children here in Calif are made to go without, especially food, when children in conservative states do so much better. Remember Huffman, Trump has done more for people in your district than you have. We should elect you why? To keep our kids hungry while you elites just don’t care, and live the good life on the backs of the working poor? #Not my congressman.
Bwahahaha! I’m sorry but you don’t know what conservatism is any more that you know what socialism is, and you certainly do not know about the important differences between California the “socialist” state, and your “conservative” states.
Lmao!
Venezuela comparison much?
Then you should explain further because there is nothing in stuber’s post to explain your comment.
Well this is the school that made signs saying “HEY ORIENTAL GIRL” when trying to throw me off my game and then a parent spit chew in my ponytail while I was cheering so I believe it.
When did that occur?
In make believe land
What makes you so sure?
So I’m lying? This is why Ferndale never gets in trouble because when people actually stand up and say the truth people like you automatically assume the victims are lying.
The Ferndale Single A football team threw down the “N” word towards a Logger player during the game they played on 9/16/18.
Victoria, if you would like to talk to me about this my email is [email protected]
As-if you truly care Kym, I have factual proof you have zero problem with ppl using the N-word. Fake. You personally don’t care nor do you care if it’s used on your site.
I don’t care if people use it to describe something someone shouldn’t say. For instance, you could have used it in your sentence. Or for instance, in the right kind of song lyric. However, no one may use it as a slur against a people.
As I have said before, I’m not afraid of words. Mature people should understand that nigger, broad, cracker, etc. are slurs that shouldn’t be used as attacks but mature people aren’t afraid to name the word when describing a problem.
Kym, I don’t know who you are but it is extremely inappropriate for you to be using the n word. It doesn’t matter what meaning you put behind it just do not say it. You don’t have to be scared of the word but It’s completely offensive.
Respectfully I completely disagree with you.
Kym is teaching about her rules, and giving examples of usage,and more so, non-usage of such terms.
I’m not alone. Learning about extremisim may make it less appealing.
I read this article below recently and was wondering how to share it, so this seems like a good place.
“High-schoolers get face time with extremists in class”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/high-schoolers-face-time-extremists-class-135301299.html
Grow up. As used above it’s just a word. Who was harmed by the use above? Saying, “the n word” instead of the word itself is silly.
I find it offensive when people use the word Ginger as a slur. But I find Tim Minchin’s song Ginger(It’s actually called Prejudice but my three redheaded sons and I call it Ginger) hilarious and enlightening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVN_0qvuhhw
Kym, the word ginger was never used to enslave and degrade an entire race of people. I think you should check in with actual people of color before you go preach white people using this word. You are offending a lot of people. I’ve posted you on twitter and not one black persons is on your side.
I appreciate that a word with such a terrible history should be used thoughtfully but, for instance, I fail to see how one could say that certain words were banned if one didn’t actually name the words.
In addition scholars and educators use it and other slurs to describe accurately what occurred and what something means.
I’m in good company as you can see below.
The African American Registry: https://aaregistry.org/story/nigger-the-word-a-brief-history/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigger
Oxford Dictionary: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nigger
Not one of them uses the ineffectual substitute, “n***r”, or some other version instead of the actual word.
I think your reading comprehension is off. I think you should re-read what Kym wrote. Slowly.
You got it sister, I should have done it months ago.
?So I quess I was to much for your people? Or was I being to truthful?
I’m sorry, Willie. I’m not understanding what you are saying.
When I was in school. Probably 2011
That is horrifying. As a teacher, if I couldn’t address it myself, I would have called law enforcement. To my understanding, spitting on someone is assault. You should not have had to deal with that and the adults who saw let you down.
Unless it was 20 years ago it is extremely hard to believe that no one captured a photo or video of that sign.
If something like that ever happens to you again call your parents the police and the news immediately.
The principal (or someone from admin) saw me crying outside the bathroom trying to get the chew out of my hair. They said they couldn’t do anything because he was a parent. They didn’t even say anything about the signs. Back in 2011 racism against Asians was just ok. I was also called the foreign exchange student. And mocked by students saying “Ching Chong ling long” etc mocking my language.
Were you actually a foreign exchange student? Did you stay on to go to college? Did you continue on to a wonderful job in Kalifornia?
No wow I was not a foreign exchange student. Of course you’d assume that tho. I am an asian American raised in Humboldt.
How about a gathering of both teams in Hoopa and or Ferndale, with their elder and parents and coaches any spectators identified as harassers and the have a guided conversation on the values of family, culture (both native and non native), the premise of being a student athlete and the wonderfulness of each teen. How should both communities work towards healing of past hurts and move towards being a united group of north coast sports families?
Racist behavior is not the norm in Ferndale? Really! My son has been experiencing this since he was in middle school and throughout high school. My son has played sports in two separate high schools and in both cases he was called the n word. Not sure how the principal can say their behavior is not the norm!
Search lost coast Outpost for the Booster club black face performance. It’s a problem in Ferndale that keeps getting covered up. Sensitivity training like “Winning with honor” did nothing. This has gone on long enough. An example must be made.
It’s not blackface. Not even remotely close to black face. This is the type of bullshit that drives people toward the right.
I white person painted his face to portray a black because he thought it would be funny. That’s blackface. Your reaching for straws.
Oh my gosh, that’s pretty bad. Not because white folks are imitating black performers which I don’t think ought to mean any particular thing than imitating any other performers.
But the timing and percieved statement behind the booster behavior, just five years ago, does belie the current statements from the schools administration about the behavior of its students and the community.
Yep.
To late. Round 6. Expulsion of the students will leave a lasting impression on the other students and fans. This should never have happened.
I white person painted his face to portray a black person because he thought it would be funny. That’s blackface. Your reaching for straws.
Sounds like bullshit. The P.C. crowd out to destroy society. The fringe self loathing afraid of everything and they want to affect other people’s lives. Society will become so afraid they will have to lock themselves inside their homes and never go out again. In today’s society everyone has a different ethnic background, and for the race card to be played on an issue sounds like a mental issue with the person.
Do you even know what was said and done?
Toxic masculinity? So shut down the whole county! Everyone and everything is bad! Stay locked up in your home to avoid society!
No because only conclusions are reported. So you also don’t know the facts.
Peabrain Conservatives don’t need stinkin’ facts!
The school is not going to apologize for something that didn’t happen. Since when is it politically correct to not be a racist?! I thought that was just common decency.
Yes, they do.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/covington-bishop-apologizes-to-covington-catholic-students-95095
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/21/tech/twitter-suspends-account-native-american-maga-teens/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/technology/covington-video-protester-congress.html
Ferndale has been given enough chances. Those embarrassed kids should have never even thought of making any racial comments. This is the last straw. Don’t attempt to smooth this over. Expulsion period. This is round 6.
BS it is not the norm!
It happened earlier this year during a single A football game. One of the Ferndale players called a Logger the “N” word, and the Referee heard it. The Ferndale coach offered to forfeit the game but we said, “no thanks”. The league president and board know all about it and decided that since Ferndale was “sorry” they could call the matter done and dealt with.
It’s utter BS that the Ferndale teams continually get away with this. Not only did we have an 8 year old Logger that was heartbroken, we had to explain to a lot of them what the hell the word meant.
And yes, this was 8 year olds!
2 incidents is continual?
And that’s your issue with everything I wrote…
Just read comments on loco, plenty of racist comments there. Lot’s of trump supporters in ferndale, no surprise. But also a big amount of portuguise and hispanic people in ferndale. But I do recall the events of 2011. Shamefull. So I’m not sure how I feel, but for now, I won’t spend my money there. Sad, love the pizza! But no more.
Go spend your money in hoopa then, I would love to read your reviews.
The whole town pays for it each time. It is too late in the game for apologies. Just Google it. Ferndales history is appaling.
Right. So how about, any team player that makes racist comments are kicked off the team for the season and any audience member identified is banned from games for the season.
To late. Round 6. Expulsion of the students will leave a lasting impression on the other students and fans. This should never have happened.
I can’t believe you said that! Are you being racist?
You will not be disappointed……The food is home made and delicious! Nothing compares to Native American food.
I like Italian better.
Why trump???it gets so old. He’s your president. What a joke. Grow up Your comment seemed interesting then trum bash. He has nothing to do with this. Go away
So you’re looking to punish a whole lot of people for the actions of a very small group. And since racism accusations have popped up at Eureka high over the years, HSU, and in other cities, you won’t be eating out anymore, huh?
The school should not be punished. The innocent students should not be punished. Those involved have to be expelled and banned from any future school events. For the good of our school and community. If they don’t make an example of these kids it will continue as it has done for decades.
so hoopa hasn’t had a tradition of being, let’s say problematic, for decades?
Two wrongs make a right? You are attempting to excuse racist behavior?Ferndale has a problem. Google it. We go through this over and over. Sanctions, sensitivity training did nothing. Yrs ago it was called a “teachable moment.” The football team was given sensitivity training called “Winning with honor” and here we are again. I don’t care how sorry the kids are. This is the last straw.
Watch the videos. The group was so proud they posted their video online. This was after they were criticized for racial comments. Is the new superintendent part of the solution or part of the problem? That is the question.
can i get a link, please
They don’t want you to see the opposing players spitting on fans. It doesn’t support the image they are trying to portray.
Yeah, there’s been racism allegations in Ferndale over the years. As well as Eureka, Fortuna, Arcata, Mac, Del Norte schools. Let’s just give up and hate everyone of different color right now, right?
No, we have to keep moving forward, keep working on the ones that have these problems, and stay together as a community.
To think racism is just going to miraculously stop one day is naive. It is a continuous effort that will take, unfortunately, more than a generation.
“…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…”
One of MLK’s noted dreams. But he continually uses the words, “one day”. Even he knew it was going to take time.
And, to me, it seems like the people with character in this latest incident are trying to make things better, for everybody.
I don’t think you can stop people from being racist. It’s a form of ignorance. They should shut the hell up on school grounds though. It’s a public school and they were spreading hate. Ferndale has had plenty of chances. Those kids represented Ferndale. If they would have banned the fans who made the racial comments yrs ago those kids wouldn’t have even thought of casting a slurs. For the good of the school and students an example must be made. Those kids used those words as weapons.
I reside in Hoopa. The Principal along with other administrators from the Klamath-Trinity school district had put out a post earlier yesterday. In the post it stated that the Ferndale principal had contacted Hoopa high expressing sincere sorrow over what had happened. The post also stated she intended on making a public apology at last nights game. A apology that our community and athletes were happy to accept. The sophomore class had worked really hard on making Indian tacos expecting there to be a lot of people in attendance only to be disappointed in the game being forfeited. Each class alternates running the concession stand in order to make funds for their class. The sophomore class took a big loss last night as they had spent a lot of money in preparation.
That’s sad to hear. Innocent people getting hurt.
I’m so sorry for the sophomore class! We should all donate something to help the kids.
Ferndale should reimburse Hoopa’s sophomore class. I hope they’re reading this. I’m so sorry this happened and that the public apology did not happen either.
That sucks!
I’m a native American and I have always known that I should not visit ferndale it’s never pleasant an they truly dont want “my kind” in their town. It’s time to not allow this to be okay anymore and it makes me happy to see some attention on the issue with them.
I have heard that previously and I think it is true that there is a core of that old hostility among some people there. There is a lot of small town judging going on where it matters who your family is the history of the community as to whether you are accepted or not.
That is true in many smaller communities around Humboldt. Anytime the second thing asked of someone unknown is “Are you related to….”, you can be sure that it matters big time.
Thanks for the comment. I never realised Ferndale has such a problem; just not paying attention I suppose. A good friend of mine (native American) has told me he experiences behaviour similar to yours up in Oregon. Racism is not a liberal or conservative thing. Labelling it as such is a way to duck the issue. It also drags all of us down.
An experience I had in 1999, while working in Hoopa on the Big Bar Complex Fire, taught me how nice the people in the hoopa valley truly are, and how the beliefs I held at the time were totally incorrect. Time, education, experience, and fighting the good cause are all we have for defeating racism.
When we get to the point where eight year old children are crying because they are called things they don’t understand I believe we, as a community, are heading down the wrong road. Watch the 1974 movie “Lenny” with Dustin Hoffman portraying Lenny Bruce to get my drift. The scene where Lenny calls black and Italian gangsters and others racist names, and nearly brings them to a shootout, is quite powerful. It also shows us how outdated racism really is, and why it should end.
For anyone else who doesn’t understand, go to the Bayshore Mall on a Saturday and observe how people of different races are there together. Take note of adults, couples, children, both kids and teenagers, boys and girls. Note how they are smiling and having a good time. Racism is bad for everyone. Its in our best interests to end it.
That’s ironic. There are a lot of white people who say the same thing about going to Hoopa.
Seems reciprocal.
It’s well-known that white people aren’t welcome on the reservations aside from the casino. Overall I’d say Ferndale is more expendable to natives then the other way around.
if we are going to point blame and suspend players i want to know who was being prejudice, or ‘racist’
‘
They’re minors, they”re never going to release their names. Maybe they should blast the parents names?
I want some Indian tacos please bring the leftovers to south fork on Monday. Looking forward to playing you and congratulations on playoffs. We want to win but will be happy if we can at least give you a good game. You have some really good players and our kids love playing you. Respect
Just sayin, watching the bundy tapes, the similarities between bundy and your prez are incredible. Kym you might delete this, but watch for yourself. Trump has brought out the worse in people. Both dudes are naricistic, phycopaths.
“We have to pass the bill to see what’s in the bill.” – Nancy P.
“If you like your health insurance, you can keep your health insurance, period.” -Barak O.
As opposed to lying, back-stabbing, etc.
(This comment isn’t debating politics, just returning a low blow)
If you like communism you can move to china. O wait, they must be racist because they are all chinese. Can you move to hoopa? Wait,
Sounds like Jihad muslim at work… The real threat to our country…
What does that have to do with this?
I went to Ferndale High. I experienced racism from our school and from Hoopa.
I’m not condoning any of it and to be honest, I participated in some of it.
No excuses, it was ugly and uncalled for. I think that we are entering a time now where maybe this bull shit can end.
I know that I’m teaching my children different than I was taught. Hope other parents are doing the same.
Unfortunately racism coming from anyone who isn’t white doesn’t count anymore.
That has to be the most refreshing comment on here. Liberals and conservatives alike learn nothing if they can’t own up to their own prejudice. Good on yah for being an awesome parent and decent human being.
Once we discover intelligent alien life on another planet (or they discover us) … these moronic trivial squabbles we continually repeat will be null. I’m looking forward to when we can all just be the human race.
Love the last sentence. Here, here!
I grew up in WC and went to school at Hoopa high. Just with that statement I’m sure plenty of tall boots would pounce If the high heels rubber booted folks in furndale knew they weren’t the only small school maybe the childish crap would end.
Little drops of poison in the gene pool. You just can’t take people on the internet at face value. This post is most likely a person looking to create dissension by making statements that they think will increase anger by pretending to be outrageously racist and pretending to be full of outrage over racist remarks they just made themselves under another name.
What if it’s all trolls, all the time, who start all race baiting comments? What if we’re all, no matter what we say or do, just played and played and played? And even worse, what if the games isn’t even for political advantage but to get money by churning clicks?
Haha did this turn into a trump vs polosi fight?, I love watching her crush his traitor ass.! Good luck to beth she is in way over her head as usual, she used to berate parents at the Bridgeville school when she stressed out. Yeah Ferndale is full of racism still, it’s just that their kids are still learning to hide it and use it cleverly, their training is nearly complete.
Oh great, another mind reader.
Please!
There’s a hundred languages in the world and a smile speaks them all.
Anonymous
The recent kerfuffle on the national press was over a student who stood there and smiled (or smirked, depending on the preference of the retweeter.) Besides a smile can get a violent reaction if the person seeing it is looking for an excuse.
Cheers to the school for addressing the dishonorable actions, for holding the bad actors accountable, and for apologizing to the community members far and wide who found themselves involved in the actions of a few.
Cheers to the kids for understanding the repercussions of bad choices of using “possible” slurs.
Shame on the community for turning a childhood scuffle into a community battling ground.
This was/is a school thing. The school’s have general assembly, disciplinary actions, and notes sent home to parents to address problems and solutions.
What’s next? A community bashing party against 6 yr old Tommy for saying ew to George’s new dress?
Some things just aren’t journalistic material. They’re private, they’re individual, they’re the responsibility of the parties personally involved. Teachers, Principles, Parents, Class, fall into this category.
What’s the point of emotionally manipulating the entire community for the inconsiderate moments of a few who are in the process of growing up?
Shame on us for bullying those who are in the slow but sure process of maturing into adulthood. These kids apologized, learned their lesson and will hopefully move forward and onward with new appreciation & insight.
I worry about the community members who somehow got involved in an issue that should have remained in the realms of the private and public guardians.
All in all, thank you to the school for addressing and apologizing for the ‘possible’ slur.
I hope the possibly slurred school will reciprocate with a letter of acceptance.
End of rant.
Enter the instigators.
Stop making sense, making sense. Talking Heads
So if we ignore the problem it will go away? They made those comments in public. Not alleged. The kids are” embarrassed and apologetic.” The school and parents obviously failed to stop this the last time. Expulsion sets an example. If they would have addressed the problem ten yrs ago we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Blame the adult fans that started all this. Go after them. Just as the media reports on sports they report on poor sportsmanship.
I agree and someone obviously took this to the media and for what purpose?!?
Thank you for you insightful comments. The problem is being dealt with by the school. Let’s move on.
So there are 107 comments on something that happened, but no one actually knows what it is? I think I will reserve judgement until the facts are available.
As a basic concept I think it is a terrible mistake to punish a group (team, school or town) for the actions of an individual. Punishing the innocent for something they did not do is no different than punishing someone based on their race. Think about it…
As I recall this isn’t the first time these two schools have had an issue, a different sport and a different year but same old thing still happening with Ferndale High, see Times Standard November 2013
Ferndale has been a click-ish enclave for decades. These racist remarks, and the tolerance of them by the parents, booster groups, fans, etc. has also been well known. I believe this is incident number 6 or 7 by some counts in the last 10 years. The well publicized one is when the football team was in the playoffs, playing against a school from the Oakland area and fans/supporters were saying the “N” word to players, it occurred either up here in Ferndale or down in the Oakland area. I remember Charlie Lakin had to deal with it…. apparently it did not get resolved. It is being tolerated today just as back then.
Another Lakin involved, Jack Lakin that sits on the Humboldt Del Norte League as President. He has strong roots in Ferndale just like Charlie did….do you think anything will happen. No!
Maybe he will move Hoopa to a different league like he approved for SB football, in hopes of getting Ferndale to win some more Little 4 titles. What bullshit, get rid of the competition to continue your winning ways.
Well finally there was a coherent report from KIEM-TV on this. Whether is thorough or accurate it is impossible to know unless there is some level of personal involvement.
What happened apparently everything was unremarkable during the girl’s game which the principal was attending. After the game, a couple of male Ferndale students were near the Hoopa girl’s team and a Hollywood style war whoop at them.
The principle heard them, told everyone to leave the auditorium and talked to the two students, who have now been made to understand just how rude they were and have apologized.
The boy’s game was scheduled in Hoopa for the next day but threats were made over social media for retaliation. They must have appeared serious enough that most parents would not let their children go, therefore not enough players could be sent and the game was forfeit.
Still no apology accepted letter being published?
I’m not going to beat a dead horse, but I feel this discussion needs some punctuation. Suspension and sensitivity training is another slap on the wrist? The boys caused untold economic damage and destroyed the communities image. The penalty is a vacation?You can’t come to school go home and play video games? Last time a fan did this the team was put on probation. Jack Lakin is the League commissionaire. He was the principal that covered up by denying that the slur at games happened. Lakin later admitted he lied and he did witness some bad behavior. The community pays for it every time.There are thousands of people that can prove damages. There will inevitably be lawsuits and thats probably the only thing that will send the message. Ferndale has failed time and again to address this issue and it has culminated into 2 students ridiculing an entire race of people. If only they would have banned( for life )the first person that made a racial comment towards an opposing team. Instead of making an example, then and there, Ferndale took care of its own.Forgive the students they are a product of their environment.
Still no published letter acknowledging and accepting the apology?
where is the apology part?
“… The students who acted inappropriately Thursday evening are embarrassed and apologetic, as they should be. They’ve been disciplined. What I’m hoping we can do now is use this opportunity to teach all students how to recognize and respond to racism to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.”
In the article.