HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) has issued a strong condemnation following reports of racially charged text messages targeting Black students across Pennsylvania. The messages, which were anonymously sent, suggested that recipients were “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation,” echoing a disturbing trend affecting students nationwide.
Chad Dion Lassiter, Executive Director of the PHRC, expressed the commission’s firm stance against such acts of racism and intimidation. “The PHRC strongly condemns any type of hateful messages or acts of intimidation,” Lassiter stated, emphasizing that hate should never be tolerated, especially within educational environments meant to be safe havens for all students. He underscored the potential impact these messages could have on the mental and physical well-being of students and urged school administrators to address these incidents with the seriousness they warrant. Lassiter advised that parents and school officials should report any such occurrences to law enforcement promptly.
To combat this wave of hate and ensure the protection of students, the PHRC is actively engaging with schools to promote a culture of safety and inclusion. Desiree Chang, PHRC Director of Education & Outreach, stressed the importance of addressing the harmful nature of these messages within school communities. “It is important for our schools to stress the inappropriate nature of these messages and for us as a community to denounce them,” Chang stated. She highlighted the PHRC’s role in providing comprehensive education and training resources to help schools foster environments free from discrimination and harassment.
Among the resources offered by the PHRC are free training sessions for school administrators, staff, and students. These sessions cover a range of topics essential for promoting equality and preventing discrimination, including bullying and harassment prevention, cross-cultural communication, bias and hate speech, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The trainings are designed to equip educational institutions with the knowledge and tools necessary to address incidents of racism and promote a more inclusive school climate.
In light of these troubling developments, the PHRC is urging schools to take advantage of these resources to better prepare their communities for dealing with issues of discrimination and to provide students with a supportive and understanding environment. Schools interested in these training opportunities are encouraged to contact the PHRC through their official website to arrange a session.
The PHRC stated that it remains committed to its mission of eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunity throughout Pennsylvania, standing ready to support schools and communities in their efforts to combat racism and foster a culture of respect and understanding.
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