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An Illinois school district is facing accusations of racial discrimination and harassment following a viral incident where Black students were allegedly given bags of cotton in social science class.
According to Fox 32 Chicago, parent Candace Ward filed a lawsuit against the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board of Education and two teachers and the school principal at Percy Julian Middle School, alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The lawsuit cites several incidents including one that went viral in April 2024 after Ward shared a photo showing a bag of cotton with seeds that her 7th-grade daughter was given in class. According to Ward, only Black students were given the cotton.
In another incident, Ward was allegedly called a racial slur by another student. The lawsuit accuses the school of failing to take action against the student involved in the incident. When Ward's daughter confronted the student and slapped him, she was allegedly suspended and placed in a "closet" during the suspension.
Ward then visited the school and was arrested and charged, according to the suit. The lawsuit seeks to address an alleged pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation that Ward's family has faced for years.
The district previously addressed the viral incident in April, saying "We acknowledge that this situation has caused a great deal of confusion, concern, and hurt within and beyond our school community. As we continue to investigate, learn from what occurred and plan for next steps, the superintendent and the board are committed to upholding the values of our district."
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