Texas High School Basketball Game Erupts in Ugly Racism from players
After a video surfaced on social media of high school parents and students making monkey calls to players of a basketball team, two Texas school districts have launched an investigation.
A student from River Road High School in Amarillo can be seen standing at the free throw line in a clip from the disheartening video, which was shared online and obtained by The Daily Beast. Loud monkey calls interrupt the cheers as the student prepares to take a shot.
This is not acceptable. The student section is an amazing opportunity for student involvement. “The incident” refers to Dalhart crossing the line tonight.
He said that the game was going well at first, but it became raucous during the fourth quarter when Dalhart students sent everything off the rails. Another player of color for River Road was allegedly called the N-word while standing in front of the student section, separately from the player being taunted with monkey calls. Pierce also noted that parents from Dalhart called the team names such as “ghetto,” “trashy,” and other extremely disrespectful names.
This is extremely foolish. “Something needs to be done immediately,” Pierce wrote. “What they did tonight was wrong and they should be held accountable.”
A Facebook user responded to the post, saying “Not all of Dalhart is like that, but this needs to be addressed in the community. It isn’t cool, funny, or ok to do this.”
Dalhart has become worse. It’s only gotten worse.
“What the parents are teaching or allowing their children to do,” another Facebook user commented, “we can assume.” The cycle continues.
The Daily Beast was told by a source close to the River Road High School community that Dalhart students also dressed up in “costumes” for the basketball game, dubbing it “Thug” night.
A screenshot from the Dalhart Facebook page showed students at the game dressed in their perception of “thuggish” attire, according to the source. Students donned durags, face tattoos, sunglasses, backwards caps, flannel, and bling. In one photo, students posed together making imitation gang signs while sticking out their tongues.
The photo, which was captioned, “Looking a little ‘Thug’ish in here tonight!” has since been deleted from the school’s Facebook page.
Jeff Byrd, superintendent of the Dalhart Independent School District, acknowledged in a press release Monday that “racially discriminatory and insensitive communications” had been made to River Road players during Friday’s game.
Dalhart ISD strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory behavior and enforces a strict policy against discrimination. The press release stated that it is the district’s expectation that all students, including student-athletes, communicate respectfully with their opponents and peers from other districts. “All faculty, administrators, and coaches must always conduct themselves professionally.”
An investigation into the incident will be launched by the district, the letter added.
“After reviewing video footage, social media, and interviewing students and patrons who attended the game, school administrators will ensure a thorough investigation,” the release read.”
Misconduct by students or staff will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately. It is our goal to provide an environment where all students can thrive, without having to worry about safety, diversity, positivity, or discrimination.
Dalhart did not comment on “Thug” night, specifics of the investigation, or how parents accused of racist behavior would be addressed when contacted by The Daily Beast. The district referred back to Monday’s press release instead.
District administrators were familiar with the incident, according to River Road Superintendent Richard Kelley.
In a statement, Kelley said, “We are concerned about it and how it impacts our students.”
Currently, both parties are investigating the situation and we will continue to work toward a resolution. Our athletes and coaches handled a very tense situation very well, and we are very proud.
