'Arkansas High School Wont Let African-American Student Be Valedictorian
by Jessica P.
July 25, 2011
.An Arkansas high school would not let a black student be valedictorian of her class even though she had the highest grade-point average because school administrators were concerned a black valedictorian would create a “big mess” at the predominately white school.
According to a complaint filed in federal court, Kymberly Wimberly got only a single B in her four years at McGehee Secondary School, a high school southeast of Little Rock. She took as many Honors and Advanced Placement courses as was allowed and earned the highest G.P.A. in her class. But despite these accomplishments, school administrators and personnel treated two other white students as “heirs apparent” to the valedictorian spots. McGhee Principal Darrel Thompson confirmed the differential treatment when he told Wimberly that he had decided to name a white student as co-valedictorian, despite the fact that the white student had a lower G.P.A.
As if that were not bad enough, school officials refused to allow Wimberly or her mother, a school employee, to protest the decision to the school board. According to the compliant, Superintendent Thomas Gathen refused to let Wimberly address the school board because she “filled out the wrong form” and instead of asking for “public comments” Wimberly should have asked for “public participation.” Superintendent Gathen then told her she could not appeal his decision until the next school board meeting–scheduled well over a month past graduation.
The complaint attacks what it calls a culture of discouraging African-American students from achieving academic success. The last African-American valedictorian was in 1989. African-American students are routinely discouraged from taking honors and advanced placement classes, telling those students the work is too hard for them.
Wimberly’s case is complicated by the fact that she is also a young mother. Title IX protects young mothers from discrimination in educational settings but can’t, on its own, eradicate ingrained racial and cultural prejudices.
Wimberly’s success should be celebrated by the entire district, not diminished because of her race and her status as a young mother. The actions in this case are not only illegal they are cultural repugnant[/B].[/B]'
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How can they get away with this? Is it true that principle Darryl Thompson has eye holes cut in his sheets? What happened to equality - or at least pretending we all had it? Will he be removed? Will the board be removed? Will Wimberly ever get any justice on this?
