Two schools within the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District, which serves several areas northwest of Fort Worth, have had racist graffiti painted over their property. In Chisholm Trail High School, which is actually within the Fort Worth city limits, anti-Black, anti-Mexican, and anti-Jewish messages can be found on the walls and on the pavement; there also was a message telling the targeted groups not to come to school on 3 March. Nearby Ed Willkie Middle School also experienced being graffitied with similar, racist messages.
Some parents felt that they need to take action.
K’eisha Nelson said her son, a senior at Chisholm Trail High School, showed her the photos after school on Monday. Nelson told NBC 5, she’s been in touch with the school board.
“I let the board know I’m not backing up this time,” she said. “I just want everyone to be treated fairly. I think it starts from the top.”
Nelson’s older son graduated from Chisholm Trail High School in 2016. She said moving forward, she would like to see courses for students and staff aimed at cultural awareness in light of these recent incidents.
“Like we have to do on jobs, we have to do courses on accepting other cultures and learning about them so you be more accepting to them,” Nelson said. “It kind of diminishes the hate that’s in your heart for the people when you learn about them. It’s time they make that change and they do create that culture of acceptance for all people.”
The graffiti, which was assumed to be done over the weekend, has been removed last Monday. District police are currently investigating and reviewing surveillance video. The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District sent a letter to parents.
In a letter to parents, the district said the vandalism was "disturbing" and included language that demeaned several ethnic groups. There was also a threat telling students to not come to school on Friday.
"Those found to be responsible will be arrested and face legal consequences," the district said. "While one message said not to come to school on March 3, there was not a specific threat of violence made and police found nothing to substantiate the statement."
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"Part of what makes our community great is our diversity. We will not tolerate anything that makes our campus uncomfortable for any child," the district said in a letter to parents.