Sen. Boren says racist event at Tishomingo Schools underscores need for DEI programs

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, issued the following statement Thursday after social media brought attention to a racist event at Tishomingo Schools during Spirit Week. According to a letter from the school district, it involved, “a small number of high school students who made an extremely poor decision by displaying a disrespectful and very inappropriate racial slur while on campus.” The letter stated that racism and discrimination, in any form, will never be tolerated or accepted on the campus and is not reflective of the values of their students, school, or community. The district reported that immediate disciplinary action was taken.  

“This is clearly unacceptable in every way, and yet six young men felt safe and comfortable to carry out their ‘extremely poor decision.’ These kinds of behaviors expose school districts to lawsuits for failing to keep the school free of racial hostility that disrupts the learning of students. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are designed to help students to consider the perspectives of people who are impacted by their decisions. DEI is simply good manners for work and school and is aimed at teaching Oklahomans how to treat one another with dignity and respect – lessons we all need to learn and relearn. Especially since so many of us claim to live by the Golden Rule: Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated.

“It is impossible to know how others would like to be treated, unless you learn how to set aside your own limited experience and bias to consider their view. Unfortunately, the radical right has banned DEI in Oklahoma schools, and has removed a helpful way to teach important lessons about race relations in America.

“Oklahoma’s young people who are trying to be funny with racially charged displays, captured in photos and shared on the internet, will end up having to explain themselves long after their high school graduation. Yes, they should have known better, but the state failed to make sure they did know better. DEI could have made a difference.” – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Mary Boren at 405-521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov