A very unpretentious man, no question about it, this gentleman who serves as one of the spokesmen for a local community organization called Concerned Citizens.   Bill Peck is passionate and articulate in his efforts as part of a group that seeks to address the racial issues that still plague us as a society in western Maryland.

 

One of the primary goals of this group is to have the Allegany County Board of Education ban from school property the display of symbols that are repugnant to minorities, foremost being the Confederate flag and Swastika. In addition, its members are of the opinion that the school system should have a zero-tolerance policy in regard to any racial discrimination on school property, whether it is instigated by students or adults.

 

For me it was an eye-opening, mind-boggling discussion to hear of the events that have occurred in our schools and community in the past year, and to learn of the school board's actions, or it may be more accurate to say, inactions.  In fact, I am left totally aghast at what has been going on in our midst and the lack of will on the part of our society to confront this issue.   Not dealing with acts of racial prejudice and hatred is in fact enabling those who choose to be bigots, and the message we send to our students is that we will ignore offensive, vile behavior.

Mr. Peck's group has been made aware of numerous instances of threatening racial behavior directed towards African-Americans in our community, and I have no reason to think that these incidents did not occur as described.  I would also note that the U.S. Justice Department is involved in an on-going investigation of those events that have been alleged to involve a violation of civil rights.

Particularly disturbing is the report of actions of adult spectators towards players on the girls' basketball team from Allegany High School.  At away games, racial slurs and profanities were screamed at an African-American girl on the team, to the point that the principal was concerned for the safety of the students and subsequently rode on the bus with them.  If this is true, then it is absolutely, unequivocally, no ifs, ands, or buts, outrageous that the Allegany County school system did not immediately take forceful action and put a stop to such despicable behavior.  Does it not strike you, as it surely would any objective observer, that there is a hidden, winked, message here, that doing nothing to confront this issue head-on is tantamount to tacit approval?

After experiencing the treatment of the basketball team and meeting with concerned parents and citizens, the Allegany High School principal banned the Confederate flag.  He was overruled by the school board.

Shame on the Allegany County School Board.

Mr. Peck pointed out that an African-American family moved rather suddenly from Cumberland because they were afraid for the safety of their family, and it certainly appears that there was clear justification for feeling that way.  The family reported receiving phone calls that threatened their lives.  There were people driving by their house and yelling the usual slurs.  There were people stopping and taking pictures of their house.  There was palpable tension at the school due to confrontations with other students.

In addition, there have been more than a few reports of drive-by racial slurs that typically involve use of the N-word.  I find it very Interesting and revealing that the only African-Americans targeted were children and adult females.

Shame on the Allegany County School Board.

According to Mr. Peck, school dress and behavior codes for Allegany County students are set by the school board.  Concerned Citizens went before the board to present a written petition that expressed their concerns about the effects of displaying  Confederate flag symbols, and to indicate that for African-American students, as well as many others, the flag is a blatant representation for demeaning, intimidating, and threatening conduct.  It was requested that  Confederate flag symbols be barred from schools in Allegany County.

The school board made no comments about the petition, and there was never any discussion offered.   Months later the board president announced on local radio that the flag would not be banned.  This was done without prior notification to the Concerned Citizens, and  before the board's public meeting scheduled on that same day when the issue was supposed to be discussed.

At the meeting that night, the decision had already been made, and obviously any discussion was going to be a moot point.  Those representing Concerned Citizens felt dismayed and dishonored to be opposed by supporters of the flag bringing two young children in tow, dressed in Confederate garb, with the younger one so proudly carrying the Rebel flag.  On one side of this contentious topic we have members of our community who feel that they are being attacked at the core of their existence, only to have the stupendously insensitive Ed Taylor parade his children in public dressed like those who fought for the right to own human beings. To reinforce his message he brought along a clone from Virginia who represented the Sons of the Confederacy.

Shame, shame on the Allegany County School Board.

Evidently the school board attorney reported that it was felt to be illegal to impose such a ban.  I would ask if he has actually read the recent Supreme Court decision that dealt with students and their constitutional rights within the school system, for his legal acumen seems to be lacking when you consider some of the commentary for the majority opinion in Morse et al v. Frederick:

"Student expression may not be suppressed unless school officials reasonably conclude that it will materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school."

"The constitutional rights of students in public school are not automatically coextensive with the rights of adults in other settings."

"Schools may regulate some speech even though the government could not censor similar speech outside the school."

"The history of public education suggests that the First Amendment, as originally understood, does not protect student speech in public schools............I see no constitutional imperative requiring public schools to allow all student speech. "

(Dear Mr. Hanna:  May I suggest that you read this Court opinion for yourself and be so kind to contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so that we may discuss this important issue in a forum that is open to students, teachers, and the public.  What a tremendous opportunity we have, by way of the Appalachian Independent, to engage in a dialogue of democracy and to demonstrate to the students and citizens of Allegany County that all voices may be heard.)

African-American students have complained to their teachers on numerous occasions about racial incidents that have occurred in the classroom and feel that their concerns are never adequately addressed.  The impression given to them is that it is no big deal, only a minor annoyance, don't let it bother you.

Concerned Citizens has been told that when it comes to verbal and symbolic expressions of racial prejudice there are no written policies for students or adults in regard to behavior while attending school or on school property. Having been aware of what has gone on in the schools and at sporting events, there is still no policy, even after months of the effort to document and discuss the problems with the school board.

Shame, shame on the Allegany County School Board.

What will cause the School Board to recognize that we have a problem here in our majestic mountain home, a problem of bigoted behavior that is going unchallenged?  For starters, more and more, till the end of time, more voices expressing outrage might cause them to re-examine what their actions say about us as a community.  It is time to not allow these symbols on school property, and to put an end to all verbal prejudice.  The majority of our citizens have respect for one another regardless of their racial background, but all discrimination needs to be confronted.  If you happen to be another concerned citizen, you can show your support and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or write to P.O. Box 1072 Cumberland, Md. 21502.

Participate in the dialogue of democracy.  All comments and viewpoints are encouraged and welcomed.    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it