This was a sad event at an elementary school in Augusta County; it was extremely heartbreaking to read about. Apparently, a Black seven-year-old child was always called a Black African Monkey by another student, and he also prohibited playing basketball with the others just because of his skin color.
The child’s mom, Jaszmyn Gray, expressed everything about the matter on Facebook. The school, she said, was entrusted with handling the matter properly, but, in later statements, she said it did neither. They told her it was this child’s first time doing something like that, so they treated it as a simple talk rather than anything real.
Gray posted that she expected consequences from such a serious comment and that, instead, she was told it could be treated as a learning moment for her son about racism. Imagine being only seven years old and already learning how to tackle hate. That really is wrong.
As someone who was also a public school student, I have firsthand experience of how words spoken at that age tend to weigh on your soul for many years. Even a small comment can hurt badly. Kids don’t just forget things like this. They carry it.
Gray opened with how sad and frustrated she feels. She grew up in the same school system and never thought at such an early age her child would face such an issue. The hurt is greater because they feel the school is brushing it off.
According to her post, many parents and locals had something to say. One such parent, Kyle Kline of Stuarts Draft, said neither should be subjected to such and offered his support.
Another parent, Ashlyn Henderson, said kids learn such words from somewhere else and pointed straight to parenting when she asked why anyone is still raising children to say things like that. That comment cut deep because kids don’t just make up racist words themselves.
Todd Diggs shared a very long and emotional narrative. He spoke about an incident at a school board meeting where everything felt fake and friendly until parents raised similar issues. According to him, the board members looked totally uninterested. He admitted he worries every day because his kids attend the same county schools. That honestly made me uncomfortable because it just gives the idea that this is not just one case.
Lois Gentry Moon really kept it simple. She just said that she was very sorry something like this happened. Sometimes that is all you can say.
Not everyone agreed with bringing the case to the public, though. Kelley Kassay mentioned that kids are not only influenced by home but also by school friends. Sharing this online would have caused unwarranted animosity toward another child if the behavior had been addressed. According to her, not all of a kid’s wrongs should be laid at the feet of parents. That was quite something to start the discussions.
Another parent, Lesha Arey, said something chilling. This was the third time she had seen a parent talking about such an issue. Her own son came home with mention that those exact words had been used. That packs a punch as it sounds like a pattern, and it is not just a one-time thing.
Evidently, judging by all such comments, many parents are worried over the issue of racism in schools in Augusta County. Calling a child a monkey and excluding him from a game is no minor issue. It is done to leave a scar.
The school treated it as a first offense and chose conversation over discipline. However, numerous parents feel that isn’t enough. Talking is not enough when things like these keep happening.
As a student, I know that in such incidents, schools must take them seriously. Kids watch how adults react. If schools act like it is not a big deal, kids will think it is okay to do it, and it is not. You may also be interested in: Arkansas Dad Loses Temper at Daughter Basketball Game and It Ends in Panic Attack Before Christmas Dance
