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Marion County superintendents band together against racism in schools

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Long before the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, racial equity procedures were in place in schools across Indianapolis. Interdepartmental attempts to address discrimination in schools have gone by many labels over the years: diversity and inclusion, racial equity and so on.

But with tensions high across the country and throughout the city ā€” Marion Countyā€™s 11 superintendents felt acknowledgement of recent events wasnā€™t sufficient.

The Anti-Racism Initiative, a collective effort between every public school district in the county, launched in mid-June to actively combat racism in Marion County public schools.

ā€œWe saw what was happening in the larger community, and came to the conclusion that there was a lot of power in coming together collectively and naming our efforts and commitment as being anti-racist,ā€ said Aleesia Johnson, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) superintendent.

On June 19, each of the Marion County public school districts turned on the lights at a stadium in their district for 8 minutes and 46 seconds ā€” the amount of time officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on George Floydā€™s neck.

Each superintendent also participated in a video intended to reinforce their respective commitments to racial equality and equity.

For some of the districtā€™s leaders, dealing with racism in everyday life is an all-too-real phenomenon.Ā 

ā€œIā€™m no different than any other African American male ā€” Iā€™ve been pulled over and Iā€™ve been questioned,ā€ said Dr. Shawn Smith, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township superintendent. ā€œIt doesnā€™t matter if Iā€™m a superintendent or have doctor in front of my name. Iā€™ve been mistreated.ā€Ā 

Jeff Butts, superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township, noted his own experiences as a white male reflect the mistreatment of African Americans like Smith.

ā€œI was profiled early on in my childhood because of some friends I had, and the area I was in,ā€ he said. ā€œI certainly have not experienced profiling to the level that many of my colleagues have, but I have a very small taste of it.ā€

According to Butts, the Anti-Racism Initiativeā€™s purpose isnā€™t just to address issues on a surface level.

ā€œThe goal is to dig a lot deeper into systemic racism, privilege and equity work,ā€ Butts said. ā€œIf this isnā€™t important enough for superintendents to acknowledge, then everything eventually falls on deaf ears and doesnā€™t remain at the forefront.ā€Ā 

One component of the initiative is ā€œNo Racism Zoneā€ signage, which will be publicly displayed on each districtā€™s high school campus before school starts to further highlight a commitment to combating racism.

Schools with large minority populations arenā€™t the only districts participating in this initiative. Other districts with significantly smaller minority populations also see the value in ensuring students learn the importance of being anti-racist.

ā€œSince weā€™re not a majority-minority township, itā€™s even more important for us to see through that equity lens,ā€ said Bruce Hibbard, Franklin Township Community School Corp. superintendent. Franklin Township schools is more than 70% white.Ā 

The minority population in Beech Grove City Schools is also on the low end, at 10% to 13%.Ā 

ā€œWeā€™re constantly trying to hire staff members that look like our students,ā€ said Paul Kaiser, Beech Groveā€™s superintendent.Ā 

Each district will work with the Indiana State Teachers Association to support the efforts of their Minority Affairs Committee, in addition to disseminating a guide for parents to educate themselves and their children about the need for racial equality and equity.Ā 

ā€œIt canā€™t be the government. It canā€™t be politicians. Itā€™s gotta be the schools. Weā€™ve gotta make the difference,ā€ Kaiser said.

Contact newsroom intern Mikaili Azziz at 317-924-5143. Follow her on Twitter @mikailiazziz.

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