Racially segregated schoolwide Zoom calls are happening in Wisconsin

A few weeks ago it was reported that Wisconsin schools are receiving “at least” $2.2 billion dollars in federal aid. This is how they’re spending it.

At West High School in Madison, Wisconsin, students and their families were invited to Zoom discussion calls to go over recent events. The topics being the Chauvin verdict and the death of Ma’Khia Bryant, who was shot by a cop as she attempted to stab someone. The latter situation being a case where even Bryant’s neighbor came out to say the officer did his best. As well as Bryant’s targeted victim being grateful that the Columbus police saved her.

A complicated subject where West High School decided the best approach was segregating white families from the black ones.

This isn’t the first time a school has done this. A Massachusetts school teacher segregated student discussions after the Atlanta shooting last month.

“Looking back on all the police brutality and violence that is going on in our country and or communities and even after the verdict of Derek Chauvin and the murder of another young Black female, it is very necessary to have space for our families to discuss and process.”

To confirm this communication is real, you can go to a page on the school’s website where they list all the email communications put out by staff.

“The most important thing we can do for our students and their families is to continue our work to build strong, trusting relationships as we engage them through virtual and face-to-face learning. Only after we establish these strong connections can we expect students and families to openly share and dialog around such complex issues. We want to work together to help our students and families feel safe, discuss challenging issues productively, and think about how they can make positive changes in our community.”

In another recent Madison, Wisconsin school controversy, a lawsuit was filed against the Sun Prairie Area School District today. Three black parents and their two children are suing over an incident in February where teachers asked students how they’d punish a slave in ancient Mesopotamia.

The lawsuit demands $75,000 in damages, a court order banning assignments that aren’t in the “approved” curriculum, and diversity training.