In Oak Park, Illinois, a lawsuit was recently filed against Oak Park Elementary School District 97 by Candace Ward, a mother who claims her daughters were subjected to racial discrimination and harassment while attending Percy Julian Middle School. This case has drawn considerable public attention, particularly following an incident involving a package of cotton that one of Ward’s daughters received in a classroom setting. The lawsuit alleges a range of racially insensitive actions, as well as retaliation when the family attempted to address these issues with school officials.
Incident Involving Cotton Package Sparks Outrage
The lawsuit highlights a specific event in which Ward’s seventh-grade daughter received a bag of cotton with seeds in it, reportedly given to her and other Black students in the class, while non-Black students were not given similar packages. Ward recounted her daughter’s account of the event, describing how the teacher instructed her to clean the cotton, a reminder of racial injustices that African Americans have faced historically. According to Ward, when her daughter questioned why only Black students received the cotton, the teacher allegedly dismissed it, saying, “I hope your mama doesn’t think I’m being racist.” This incident quickly gained public attention after Ward shared a photograph of the cotton bag on Facebook in early April 2024.
Multiple Allegations of Racial Discrimination
Ward’s lawsuit goes beyond the cotton incident, outlining other alleged instances of racial discrimination and harassment that her daughters faced at Percy Julian Middle School. The suit accuses District 97’s Board of Education and specific school principals of failing to address these repeated concerns adequately. According to Ward, one of her daughters was called the N-word by a fellow student. Despite reporting the incident to school authorities, Ward alleges that no disciplinary action was taken against the offending student.
Retaliation and Punishment After Standing Up
Ward’s daughters, disheartened by the lack of action taken by the school, confronted the student involved in the racial slur. According to Ward, during this confrontation, one of her daughters slapped the offending student. The school’s response, as outlined in the lawsuit, was to place Ward’s daughter in what is described as a “closet” within the school as a form of punishment. This disciplinary action, Ward contends, was disproportionately harsh and indicative of the school’s failure to protect her daughters from ongoing racial harassment.
Legal Action and the Family’s Response
Ward states that following her daughter’s punishment, she went to the school to discuss the issue, an interaction that ultimately led to her own arrest. Ward was reportedly charged in connection with this incident, adding another layer of tension between the family and the school district. Her attorney has argued that the school has failed to address the harassment and has instead retaliated against the family for bringing these issues to light. The attorney asserts that this pattern of retaliation has persisted for several years and has caused significant emotional distress to Ward and her daughters.
Filing the Lawsuit
The legal team representing Ward confirmed that they filed the lawsuit last week, alleging systemic racial discrimination and harassment within District 97. According to Ward’s attorney, the lawsuit was delivered directly to the school district in person and sent via email. The school district, however, denies having received the lawsuit, stating that it did not have an opportunity to comment on the allegations at the time of the filing.
Community Response and Ongoing Legal Battle
The case has drawn considerable attention from the community and social media. Many have expressed outrage at the alleged actions, particularly in light of the cotton incident that has been widely viewed as racially insensitive. The family’s supporters argue that the school district has a responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students and that it has failed in this duty by allowing such incidents to occur without meaningful intervention.
Meanwhile, the school district has not yet issued a formal response to the lawsuit or the specific allegations contained within it. As the case proceeds, it is expected to further ignite conversations about racial sensitivity and accountability within the school system. Ward and her attorney remain hopeful that this lawsuit will bring to light the systemic issues they allege are present within District 97, ultimately leading to changes that will prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Conclusion
This lawsuit against Oak Park Elementary School District 97 serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues related to racial discrimination in educational settings. The incidents outlined by Ward reflect a complex and painful reality for students of color who may feel unsupported or marginalized. As this case unfolds, it highlights the need for school districts to ensure equitable treatment for all students and to address complaints of discrimination swiftly and effectively. The outcome of this case could have significant implications not only for District 97 but also for broader discussions about race, accountability, and the role of education in fostering inclusive environments.
