Merced County high schools investigating racially charged videos directed at teachers
A video circulating on social media depicts individuals making racial slurs directed at a Buhach Colony High teacher, the latest in a string of similar incidents at that school and another in Merced County.
The Merced Union High School District released a statement Saturday saying the district is aware of the video and as soon as Buhach Colony administrators learned of it the school began an investigation to find out who produced it.
“The individuals responsible for this appalling video will be held to account,” the district’s statement reads. Security will be stepped up beginning next week.
In the video, individuals can be heard using a racial slur and degrading the Buhach Colony teacher.
Buhach Colony principal Jennifer Euker says they’ve had multiple incidents this week of racist behavior online. Two were directed at students. One was a video in which a student used a racial slur; the other involved someone making racially insensitive comments in a Zoom class toward a fellow student.
“It started on Monday when we had to shut down our Facebook Live broadcast because it was hijacked by people making inappropriate comments,” Euker said. “Two of the other incidents we were able to trace it back to the student and we were able to talk to the parents and reprimand the student.
“The other one (involving the teacher) we’re still investigating. The comments were racists and hateful. It’s the saddest thing I’ve seen in my 35 years of education.”
Many Buhach Colony students denounced the video degrading the teacher on social media.
“It’s upsetting to see that, especially when it’s a Buhach teacher that I know and have a connection with,” Buhach Colony senior Anthony Berry said. “I hate to see people degrade somebody else because of the color of their skin. This is the type of teacher that will go the extra mile for anyone. It sucks seeing that.”
Merced County high schools were forced to open with distance learning after Gov. Gavin Newsom prohibited schools in counties on the state’s monitoring list to open with in-person classes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Golden Valley High experienced its own incident this week while an instructor was teaching via Zoom. School principal Kevin Swartwood referred to as “an act of hate.”
“Our teachers worked so hard to put together a quality learning package remotely,” Swartwood said. “I don’t think anyone has any idea the details they put, not just Golden Valley teachers, but everybody. Our teachers are trying to see these kids get a vast education under tough circumstances. That’s why this stuff is so disheartening and discouraging.”
Swartwood said his teacher’s response was, “He’s not going to entertain this ignorance.” Golden Valley is investigating the individuals that made the video, he said.
The Buhach Colony and Golden Valley teachers are both Black.
MUHSD stated as a result of the incidents, the district “will be tightening security on Zoom and reinforcing online instruction protocols to staff.”
The district also stated, “racial insensitivity and inflammatory comments of any nature have no place at MUHSD and will not be tolerated.”
According to Swartwood, starting on Monday, students will need to use their MUHSD email address to log in to the Zoom classes. During the first two weeks, students just needed to click a link.
“Our hope is that every school in the district is teaching students so they can think critically about what’s going on the world, process it and then communicate it in a way that isn’t harmful to themselves others,” Swartwood said.
Euker added, “We are doing everything we can to protect our students and we always will. We’re learning and improving every day. We don’t condone these actions at all.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2020 at 2:44 PM.
