In recent years, numerous incidents of racial harassment in U.S. schools have raised concerns about the adequacy of responses from educational authorities. Reports have detailed cases where Black students faced severe intimidation, including being subjected to racial slurs and derogatory comments. Under the administration of President Donald Trump, investigations into such harassment have notably diminished, leaving many affected families feeling abandoned.
One disturbing incident occurred in Colorado, where students used cellphones to play whipping sounds while taunting their Black classmates. “To make us a better race,” one of the students claimed, reflecting a toxic atmosphere that has emerged in several school districts nationwide. In a small district in Ohio, the only two Black students were called the N-word by their peers from the first day of school, subjected to slurs like “porch monkey,” and were told they should “pick cotton.” In Illinois, white students displayed Confederate flags in class assignments and threatened Black students by shaking a school bus as they exited.
The U.S. Department of Education has historically investigated such cases through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Over the last three years, the OCR resolved approximately 50 racial harassment cases, mandating changes within school districts. However, under Trump’s second term, the OCR has not entered into a single new resolution agreement concerning racial harassment, as highlighted in a recent analysis by ProPublica.
The shift in focus has raised alarm among civil rights advocates. “The message that it sends is that the people impacted by racial discrimination and harassment don’t matter,” said Paige Duggins-Clay, an attorney working with families affected by such issues. Data shows that the OCR has closed many investigations without reaching resolutions, including nine complaints tied to racial discrimination in the Lubbock-Cooper school district.
The OCR’s previous commitment to addressing racial harassment has waned. Since January 20, 2021, the Office has opened only 14 investigations into allegations of racial harassment involving Black students, despite receiving over 500 complaints during the same period. The Education Department did not respond to requests for comment regarding these findings.
A particularly troubling case occurred in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary District in Arizona, where the OCR concluded its investigation by finding that the district had made “minimal and ineffective” attempts to address racial and sexual harassment. Reports indicate that school staff witnessed students being bullied, yet the response was insufficient. The OCR mandated training for staff and students, but district officials reported a lack of follow-up communication from the OCR after the agreement was made.
In North Carolina, Carteret County Public Schools faced scrutiny after students hurled racial slurs at two Black teenagers. The family of one victim reported inadequate support from school officials, prompting them to relocate due to the severity of the harassment. Following an OCR investigation, the district sought to nullify a resolution agreement reached under the Biden administration, claiming that the political landscape had changed significantly.
The OCR, tasked with ensuring equal treatment for students, has seen a dramatic reduction in its capacity to address civil rights complaints. The Trump administration’s approach has resulted in layoffs and a significant reduction in staff, leading to a backlog of cases. As of now, nearly 24,000 investigations remain open, many involving allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities.
The current situation suggests that incidents of racial harassment in U.S. schools are not only persisting but may be worsening. For example, in Massachusetts, reports surfaced of a mock “slave auction” conducted by students, highlighting the ongoing prevalence of racist attitudes among youth.
The OCR’s diminished role in addressing civil rights violations raises critical questions about the future of educational equality. The lack of accountability for school districts in handling racial harassment cases may embolden further discrimination and hostility, leaving vulnerable students without the necessary protections in their educational environments.
As efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs continue, the implications for students of color are profound. Advocates for civil rights underscore the need for renewed focus and accountability to ensure that all students can learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.
