‘We need change.’ Black students at Saline High call for stricter response to racism

By Mitchell Kukulka

On November 17, 2023

SALINE, MI — Recent incidents involving hate speech have Saline High School students calling for tougher punishments for discriminatory behavior.

A Nov. 5 Instagram post from the Saline Black Student Union addresses two recent incidents of graffiti at Saline High where the n-word was written on the wall in a high school boys bathroom.

In the post, BSU members took issue with school administration’s response to the graffiti, stating the words were reported and erased without investigation.

“Saline has a very high tolerance for racism,” the post reads. “It takes away the comfort for minorities who attend their schools. We need change.”

Saline Black Student Union President Aliyah Corrao spoke about the incidents during the public comment segment of the Saline School Board’s Nov. 14 meeting. Corrao outlined several suggestions the student group has compiled as potential measures to take to combat racist behavior from students.

Among BSU’s suggestions was more extensive investigations into hate speech incidents, in addition to heavier discipline. Corrao also suggested the students found responsible in graffiti incidents receive a more severe punishment to account for the vandalism.

“You’re not only writing on a wall, but you’re writing a racial slur, so can receive two punishments for that, which students are not receiving,” Corrao said. “There’s higher punishment for if there is a vape found in your backpack — students receive 10 days (suspension) — but they’re not receiving that for saying a racial slur, a racial comment, or making other students feel uncomfortable in a school building where they should be comfortable. Looking into the handbook, heightening the punishments and working with the punishments would be a very powerful thing.”

During the Nov. 14 meeting, Superintendent Steve Laatsch said he and fellow administrators have been listening to student feedback on their experiences, with Laatsch himself meeting with the BSU on Oct. 18.

“What I heard from the vast majority of attendants was that they’ve been supported by their teachers, administrators and — for the most part — their fellow students,” Laatsch said. “However, they certainly did talk about their concerns of some continued racism at the high school.”

Laatsch said district administration currently is working on strengthening its response policies for hate speech and discriminatory language in order to be better supportive of the student body. Laatsch said he plans to meet with BSU to discuss other ways the district can move forward.

“We wouldn’t accept that we have kids that feel unsafe at the high school, and we’ll continue to work on that,” Laatsch said.

Speaking during an extended comment section at the board meeting, Saline High School Principal Theresa Stager said school staff take steps to address matters like the graffiti incident immediately once they are brought to their attention.

In addition to following up on all reported incidents, Stager said high school staff currently are working to implement additional measures to quell hate speech. One of these steps will be to proactively check student bathrooms several times throughout each day, Stager said.

“Due to student privacy concerns — no cameras (being allowed) in bathrooms — we may not be able to pinpoint a responsible party 100% of the time, but we are paying attention to trends and continue to follow all disciplinary guidelines when the individuals can be identified,” Stager said. “This trend is not only disheartening, but goes against the core values of our school community.”

Families play a pivotal role in shaping the attitudes of students, and she called on parents in the community to talk with their children about these issues and the importance of respect and empathy.

Saline Area Schools has grappled with how it handles racist incidents in recent years. The district has hosted numerous community listening sessions in an effort to understand how students and families have experienced harm, bias or discrimination.

This piece was republished from MLive.