Illinois School District Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Discrimination Against Black Students

An Illinois school district is under fire after a federal lawsuit was filed against them for alleged discrimination against two young Black students. Candace Ward, the mother of the students, has accused the Oak Park School District of multiple racist incidents, with the latest one being particularly disturbing.

13-year-old Autumn Shelton, a student at Percy Julian Middle School, revealed that her history teacher only gave the Black students in her class bags of cotton after a lesson on slavery. Shelton described the bags as “dirty” and felt targeted because of her race. When she brought the bag home to her mother, Ward was shocked and posted a photo of it on Facebook, which gained attention from media outlets.

The lawsuit states that Shelton and her younger sister, Serenity, have faced multiple instances of racial discrimination at the school. Ward expressed concern for her daughters’ safety and well-being, claiming that they have suffered emotionally and physically as a result of the discrimination.

In response to the lawsuit, the school district released a statement affirming their commitment to providing an equitable and discrimination-free educational environment. They plan to dispute the allegations and defend their employees against the claims made by Ward and her daughters.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of racial discrimination in schools and the impact it can have on students. The community is watching closely as this lawsuit unfolds, hoping for justice and accountability for the alleged discriminatory actions.