Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Holder: School discipline racially biased, overly harsh
The Hill ^

Posted on 01/08/2014 10:12:43 AM PST by Sub-Driver

January 08, 2014, 12:54 pm Holder: School discipline racially biased, overly harsh

By Ben Goad

Attorney Gen. Eric Holder called upon the nation’s school districts Wednesday to re-think “zero tolerance” disciplinary policies that he said disproportionately punish minorities and push too many students into to the justice system.

“Alarming numbers of young people are suspended, expelled, or even arrested for relatively minor transgressions like school uniform violations, schoolyard fights, or showing “disrespect” by laughing in class,” Holder said during a speech in Baltimore.

Holder’s remarks accompany the release Wednesday of new federal guidance from the departments of Justice and Education pressing schools to adopt disciplinary policies that are “fair, non-discriminatory, and effective.”

The guidance lays out the parameters of punishment as governed by federal civil rights protections, alternatives to exclusionary discipline and a comprehensive list of regulations on the books in every state.

Included in the guidance is a 32-page “Dear Colleague” letter putting schools on notice that the agencies are prepared to use authority to investigate the claims of racial disparity in the punishment of students.

“As part of this commitment, we will enforce Federal laws to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination in school discipline,” the letter warns.

The action won praised from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which offered forward research showing that black students make 36 percent of those expelled, though they represent only 15 percent of students.

"With the rise of law enforcement in our schools, the proliferation of zero-tolerance policies, and misuse of suspensions and expulsions, our nation’s school discipline policies are pushing children…out of school," said Deborah J. Vagins, the ACLU’s senior legislative counsel.

The Education Department us also issuing a set of guiding principals meant to help schools comply with federal laws, a directory of disciplinary resources available to schools and an online compendium of state laws and regulations.

“Positive discipline policies” can actually foster safer school environments, without a heavy reliance on suspensions and expulsions, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement.

“Schools also must understand their civil rights obligations and avoid unfair disciplinary practices,” he said. “We need to keep students in class where they can learn.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bhodoj; blackmales; discipline; ericholder; zerotolerance
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last
To: Sub-Driver

Unless they’re whitey kids making a “gun” and pointing it at another kid and saying “bang!”.

Those kids, to the plastic shredders.


21 posted on 01/08/2014 10:33:56 AM PST by Attention Surplus Disorder (At no time was the Obama administration aware of what the Obama administration was doing)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: andyk
Oh, I read it all.

I will just assume you don't know what Holder is REALLY talking about.

22 posted on 01/08/2014 10:35:48 AM PST by Trailerpark Badass (There should be a whole lot more going on than throwing bleach, said one woman.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

I say again, and this comment from a black guy:

okay, I’m going out on a limb but... doesn’t what Holder want scream for...re-segregation?


23 posted on 01/08/2014 10:40:21 AM PST by jimjohn (You don't get the kind of government you want, or the kind you need. You get the kind you deserve.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver
“Alarming numbers of young people are suspended, expelled, or even arrested for relatively minor transgressions like school uniform violations, schoolyard fights, or showing “disrespect” by laughing in class,” Holder said during a speech in Baltimore.

Yes - and no. Certainly zero tolerance policies help when dealing with the lawyers, but they are overall stupid. Why would you not consider the individual situation when deciding on a consequence? However, I'd like to see a list (even one name) of students who have been prosecuted for violating the dress code or for laughing in class. As for criminal prosecutions for fights, I approve of that option when the fight gets out of hand or is unprovoked. This speech is another racial wedge based on nothing in the real world.

24 posted on 01/08/2014 10:43:11 AM PST by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Opinionated Blowhard

Zero tolerance was racial to begin with. School districts needed a way to deal with unruly blacks but principals were afraid to give subjective punishments lest they be called racist. Thus was born “everybody gets same punishment” zero tolerance policies.


25 posted on 01/08/2014 10:44:19 AM PST by RightOnTheBorder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: driftless2; All

Remember this essay from last summer?

Essay by a teacher in a black high school
Honda Tech ^ | July 6, 2013 | Unknown

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3048274/posts


26 posted on 01/08/2014 10:45:19 AM PST by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver
Yep, we definitely need a program to replace Negro bullies in the JustUs system with White and Asian valedictorians.
27 posted on 01/08/2014 10:47:09 AM PST by Navy Patriot (Join the Democrats, it's not Fascism when WE do it, and the Constitution and law mean what WE say.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pollster1
Why would you not consider the individual situation when deciding on a consequence

Principals are scared to death of having any personal input into a child's punishment. At its worst you have blacks claiming punishments against their children are racist but you have all manner of parents who think their little angle can do no wrong and will hassle principals for any disciplinary action. It is simply easier (and wrong and cowardly) for administration to say "well, this is the district zero tolerance approved punishment and it is out of my hands."

28 posted on 01/08/2014 10:50:20 AM PST by RightOnTheBorder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Black kids can’t behave in school because they’re socially inferior, black people can’t get photo IDs because they’re dumb, black mothers can’t depend on black fathers because they’re lazy - These are just a few of the things black leaders tells us every day about black people. Will black people EVER get tired of this?


29 posted on 01/08/2014 10:52:41 AM PST by ryan71 (The Partisans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Schools instituted zero-tolerance in response due to a disproportionate number of minorities getting disciplined.

What better way to deal with the problem then to institute zero-tolerance? Bring a handgun to school in your backpack - get expelled. Leave your fishing knife in your trunk - get expelled. Threaten to kill someone - get suspended. Fashion a handgun from a poptart - get suspended.

See how colorblind and easy it is??!!


30 posted on 01/08/2014 10:53:02 AM PST by VeniVidiVici (Play the 'Knockout Game' with someone owning a 9mm and you get what you deserve)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimjohn

“...doesn’t what Holder want scream for...re-segregation?”

Sort of. Would “no white people left” qualify?


31 posted on 01/08/2014 10:55:07 AM PST by ryan71 (The Partisans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: ryan71
Many of these children should have been failed, but the system would crack under their weight if they were all held back.

This and many more astute observations from the front lines of the black culture war against America are found at the link.

32 posted on 01/08/2014 10:57:44 AM PST by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

How ‘bout it’s because more of Holders peeps are likely to be little thigs just like the baby daddies.


33 posted on 01/08/2014 10:58:16 AM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

But how could this be ?? The schools are an infestation of diversity-loving liberals.


34 posted on 01/08/2014 10:59:28 AM PST by Lizavetta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freeangel

This again proves that holder is just representative of this whole sick Clown Car administration from top down. Those who voted for these anti-logic creeps should hang their heads in shame.


35 posted on 01/08/2014 11:00:46 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Racism in reverse from the Administration’s chief Black Racist (next to Obama Hussein, of course.)


36 posted on 01/08/2014 11:06:43 AM PST by ZULU (Magua is sitting in the Oval Office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

and besides, whats a little rape between school chums right Ericky..???


37 posted on 01/08/2014 11:07:56 AM PST by cherry (.in the time of universal deceit, telling the truth is revolutionary.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

black students make 36 percent of those expelled, though they represent only 15 percent of students.

??????????????????

Maybe that is because they comprise a more “difficult” group. Its hard to behave when there is no father figure around to show you a positive male role model.


38 posted on 01/08/2014 11:08:14 AM PST by ZULU (Magua is sitting in the Oval Office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie
because school officials ignored the crimes and antics of a one Mr. Martin, he lies dead.....

Ericky, instead of looser rules, rules should be strenghten....with school uniforms, detention,dish washing and floor sweeping and Saturday class...guess the teachers wouldn't want that though..

39 posted on 01/08/2014 11:09:52 AM PST by cherry (.in the time of universal deceit, telling the truth is revolutionary.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Great. Let’s get more lawyers involved in more unnecessary areas of life.


40 posted on 01/08/2014 11:10:32 AM PST by bkopto (Free men are not equal. Equal men are not free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson