Publication Date: September 20, 2001
Author: ODAS | Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary
Summary: Prohibited Racial or Ethnic Harassment -- Reminder of Responsibilities under the under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Posted on September 20, 2001
September
19, 2001
Dear Colleague:
I write to ask your help
in responding to a problem that has arisen following the terrible events of
the past several days, and that threatens some of our nation's students. There
have been increasing news reports of incidents of harassment and violence directed
at persons perceived to be Arab Americans or of Middle Eastern or South Asian
origin, including children. Arab-American parents have publicly expressed fear
about the safety of their children at school. These occurrences are extremely
disturbing to me and are of major concern to the Department of Education.
All of us are justly outraged
at the destruction and loss of life in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
However, violence and harassment against innocent people based solely on their
race or national origin only compounds hatred and must not be condoned or tolerated.
Each incident has a ripple effect in our schools and our communities, creating
fear and tensions that ultimately affect us all. I am concerned that young people
are particularly susceptible to copying inappropriate conduct at a time when
fear and anger are heightened.
We are all committed to
making sure children across America can attend school in a safe and secure environment
free from physical threats and discrimination. School officials, working closely
with students, parents, and community groups, play a critical role in ensuring
that race-based harassment and violence have no place in our schools.
Harassment in schools can
take many forms, from abusive name calling to violent crimes directed at a student
because of his or her race or ancestry, the country of origin of the student's
family, or the student's cultural traditions. If ignored, harassment can jeopardize
students' ability to learn, undermine their physical and emotional well-being,
provoke retaliatory violence, and exacerbate community conflicts. The message
we must send out to parents and students is that such conduct is unconditionally
wrong and will not be tolerated in our schools.
I take this opportunity
to highlight our responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin
by recipients of federal financial assistance. Schools, colleges, and universities
are responsible under Title VI for providing students with an education environment
free from discrimination.
Racial or ethnic harassment
is unlawful. It can deny or limit a student's ability to receive or participate
in the benefits, services, or opportunities in a school's program - simply speaking
it denies students the right to an education free of discrimination. The existence
of a racially hostile environment that is encouraged, accepted, or tolerated
by a school, college, or university constitutes different treatment of students
on the basis of race.
In response to last week's
events specifically, I urge you to make sure that assemblies, classroom discussions,
and other school activities held to honor victims of the tragedies do not inadvertently
foster the targeting of Arab-American students for harassment or blame. Encourage
students to discuss diversity constructively and to express disagreement over
ideas or beliefs in a respectful manner. Have a system in place to intervene
if particular students exhibit feelings or conduct that could endanger others.
Encourage all students to report threats of racial or ethnic harassment.
Through our words and the
example of our own conduct, we must remind our children that harassment of and
violence toward any individual because of his or her race or national origin
is never acceptable. In addition, we must emphasize during this difficult time
in our nation's history that our feelings of anger and sadness must not be directed
at innocent Arab Americans, or other individuals having no connection to last
week's events. Working together, we can make sure that our children get a good
education in a safe environment that does not tolerate violence and hatred.
Thank you for your help on this most critical issue.
Sincerely,
Rod Paige
