Here we go again, folks (we went through this mess last year)...this is 2008 America.
Several nooses and Ku Klux Klan hoods were found on the campus of High Point Central High School this morning. One of those hoods ended up on the school's main flagpole.
See this video from FOX-8.
High Point Central is a diverse school with good faculty and a good support network. Revonda Johnson has been in the trenches, attempting to remake and transform HPC into a school of excellence. I'm hoping this is simply another isolated incident.
But one has to wonder...
Number 1, why High Point?
Number 2, why does this keep happening?
Number 3, why at an institution of learning where children are present?
Because you've got to admit, this is pretty sick.
This from Guilford County Schools:
Unfortunately, nooses and a Klan hood were found at High Point Central High School today. Administrators immediately notified the High Point Police Department. The incident is currently under investigation, and additional staff and law enforcement presence will be maintained as long as needed. Guilford County Schools (GCS) is fully cooperating with law enforcement regarding this matter. Those found to be responsible for this criminal act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
High Point Central and GCS will not tolerate behavior that is discriminatory or that disrupts the safe learning environment of our students. We are extremely disappointed that this occurred because we believe this inappropriate act is not representative of High Point Central’s administration, students or staff.
Counseling will be available as needed. Additionally, student representatives from High Point Central’s school-based human relations commission are working with their peers to take an active role in educating the school community.
If anyone has information regarding this incident, immediately contact the High Point Police at 883-3224. Tips can be made anonymously.
At High Point Central High School, we strive to ensure that students and staff from all races, cultures, religions and backgrounds feel accepted. We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that all students and staff feel welcomed and safe in our school.
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UPDATE: 12:58PM DEC. 15, 2008:
News & Record reports two students from the school were in custody stemming from the incident. The N&R also corrects earlier reports about nooses.
N&R:
HIGH POINT - Two teens are in custody for hanging four Klan-like hoods around the campus of High Point Central this morning.
High Point police have two 16-year-old Central students in custody but charges have not yet been determined, according to lead investigator Capt. Tony Hamrick.
Police did not immediately release the students' names.
Hamrick said the hoods are made of white vinyl and had holes cut in them. Three of the hoods were hung near the bus parking lot at the school and the fourth was hung from the school's flagpole.
There were no nooses found, Hamrick said, despite earlier reports from school system officials stating there were.
Hamrick said there have been no recent race-related issues at the school that he is aware of. He said the incident does not represent the atmosphere at the school at all.
"This is an irresponsible prank we take seriously," he said.
Two officers will remain on the campus for the remainder of the school day.
The hoods were found around 5:30 a.m. today by a school custodian.
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E.C. :)
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4 comments:
How did the false claim that nooses were found get started? I would be very interested to learn about that. There are WAY TOO MANY questions that are not being answered right now. For example, how did the janitor come to find these items where they were hung? At this time of the year, at 5:30AM, it usually DARK OUTSIDE and some small items hung up wherever ought to be hard to see! Does the janitor inspect the schoolbus drop off area each and every morning before work, and does he also go and examine the flag pole each and every morning-- or was this one morning the exception? It sounds fishy to me that the "klan issue" keeps popping up at this school, and the chances that these two boys are unrelated to the incident are pretty good. Has anyone thought that maybe the JANITOR might have been doing this all along? How did the law enforcement come to arrest these two boys? Further more, WHY are the boys being held when the police DONT KNOW what charges they are going to be putting against them???
Sounds like a modern Nancy Drew mystery...I can't wait for the last chapter.
to clear up everything, the two students are in custody, their trial is on january 12th. they are being charges with two misdemeanors and a felony hate crime. there was four kkk hoods found made out of cones, which were stolen and found in the back of one of the students cars. on tuesday, a third student was taken into custody. the hoods were a bit noticable. it was a crime scene investigation. they were on cameras prooving they did it. i know two of the people charged personally, and trust me, it's unreal but proof is proof and they were caught. one of the boys charged went around and told people he did it, that's how they found out as well. the false thing about nooses is untrue, it is still hanging up on the wall, it just doesn't look like one. plus, this issue has only happened once or twice at our school.
by the way, i know all of this because i got to high point central. it's an amazing school and people don't give it enough credit.
I personally know one of the students that was arrested. He goes to my church and has been friend for a while. I never would have thought he would have done such a thing. He is VERY active at church. He told me that it was just a bad prank gone even worse. I agree
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