Racism at CMHS

Students around Crete have begun to have conversations surrounding racism and its effects, and by such discussions students see how racism is affecting the schooling system.

Racism is a part of our everyday society, more importantly it can be a big part in the education system. Crete has a background of negative events, the media has negatively thrown attention towards CMHS.

A few students had an opinion on the matter of racism in our school. “I have not experienced any racial incidents during school, I am a mixed kid, and I look white. I have however witnessed acts of racism towards other students.” Speaks Nephera Branch on the matter.

Kiera Martinez stated that sometimes in the hall she is called a spic, by another student who she chose to leave anonymous.

“Racism is extremely problematic for many people, but it doesn’t scare me personally.” Nephera seems not to be too worried about racism as a whole, although she does seem very annoyed that it is still a living thing in our society.

Nephera continued, “I believe any race can go through racism, it’s ignorant that others think many races can’t. Although in our country right now, the most targeted race is African Americans.”

I interviewed Mr. Fitzgerald, who shared his opinion on racism at Crete Monee.

“There is racism at Crete, and I have witnessed a couple acts.” He also stated, “I think, it is a real problem. Except, the media blows it up.”

Mr. Fitzgerald said that the Muslim-Americans are the most affected race in America right now and it isn’t really mentioned much. Even though he also believes that every race can go through racism.

The racism at Crete is affected by the racially based events that happen outside the schooling system.

Sometime in October, Three African American workers from the popular car company ‘Tesla’ filed a lawsuit, because they were being racially harassed by co-workers during work.

These co-workers left racist images for the workers to see. The workers talked about the things yelled at them.

“Go back to Africa, we don’t want you here.” Is only one of the extremely racist things these men heard at work.

The men allegedly complained to supervisors and even went to the staffing agencies to their company, nobody took action.

A representative from Tesla said that the three men never raised concerns about racial discrimination while they were employed at the factory.

"Any and all forms of discrimination or harassment is taken extremely seriously." A tesla spokesperson said in an email statement to ‘Fortune’ newspaper.

Branch joined me in reading this article, she was at a loss of words. “I feel bad for these people, I don’t understand why this type of thing is still going on.”

Nephera seemed very upset at the incident, saying that in the 21st century racism shouldn’t be happening. It’s taken even worse, since it is in the workplace.

Due to the evidence collected, it can be concluded that Racism is a serious issue. Not only at Crete, but the issue travels way outside the schooling system.