Community shares concerns at board meeting over offensive language during Penn High School live stream

“When a student feels comfortable publicly using a racial slur during a school affiliated broadcast, it raises serious concerns about the level of intercultural competence and racial awareness being cultivated among both students and staff,” said Tiana Batiste-Waddell, a community education advocate and JAX Aspire Foundation executive director.

Batiste-Waddell was among a handful of community members that spoke at public comment during the meeting.

“The racial slur and monkey taunts broadcast during the recent basketball game are not just childish words, they carry historical wounds that reach across generations,” said a representative for ‘She Wears the Collar Too’.

The South Bend National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) president, Trina Robinson, claims the NAACP has met with PHM officials a number of times over the years for incidents involving racial discrimination and are asking for PHM to take further steps to protect the safety of all students.

“The NAACP would rather work as a partner than stand in opposition. Our goal is to collaborate as allies to create a positive change, not to position ourselves as adversaries,” said Robinson.

PHM superintendent Dr. Heather Short released a response following the NAACP’s statement, calling the language unacceptable and apologizing to the community, but also explaining the disciplinary action of any minor cannot be released to the public due to federal privacy laws.

The board did not address the incident at the meeting but did listen to the community. Some shared they believe PHM handled the issue well, while others believe this moment presents the opportunity for growth.

“So it’s not just about children, it’s about children in the sense that it’s our duty as adults to teach them the way to go, and this is the opportunity for Penn to do just that, and the way to do it is to start with data,” shared Batiste-Waddell.

Below is Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation superintendent Dr. Heather Short’s full statement released March 10.

“We have received the South Bend NAACP’s statement that was shared with the news media this afternoon regarding the incident that occurred during the Penn High School student livestream at last Friday night’s sectional basketball game.

We share the community’s deep concern over the use of a racial slur during the broadcast. Language like this is hurtful and offensive, not only to the person it was directed toward, but to the entire community. It is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. In every P-H-M school we teach our students to be respectful and to treat others the way they would want to be treated.

Please know that Penn-Harris-Madison is taking this matter very seriously. Members of the Board of School Trustees, Penn High School administration, and district leadership fully recognize the gravity of this situation. As educators entrusted with the well-being and development of the children in our community, we have a responsibility to uphold standards of dignity and respect for every student.

Members of our administration spoke to members of Riley High School and South Bend School Corporation administration after the incident happened and over the weekend. I want to extend my sincerest apologies to the Riley High School student who was subjected to this language, as well as to the Riley High School community. No student should experience that type of disrespect.

We appreciate the advocacy of community organizations, including the NAACP, and their work to strengthen our community.”

To view the South Bend NAACP’s full statement, click the See Also.