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A recent California graduate says he faced racist abuse at his high school that went unchecked by administrators.
According to Atlanta Back Star, 18-year-old Jaylen Escobosa, a Black Hispanic student who recently graduated from Pierce High School in Arbuckle, said he was subjected to numerous racist incidents, including slurs, jokes, and an alleged assault by a teacher, while attending the school.
White students allegedly referred to watermelons as "n****r berries" and called Hispanic students who ate school lunch "broken a** beans."
In another instance, the lawsuit states that a group of students didn't face disciplinary action after calling Escobosa and his mom "dumb n****rs."
“This hate speech was brought to the attention of the school. The school’s response was that they would have a talk with the students, but the issues continued,” the lawsuit reads. “The school employees that actually heard the language thought it was just funny and said that Jaylen should just ‘calm down.’”
During the 2021-22 school year, Scott Burnum, one of Escobosa's teachers, allegedly assaulted the student, slamming his head into a desk. Burnum allegedly offered Escobosa compensation for his injuries in exchange for his silence, the lawsuit alleges.
No action was taken when Escobosa's father notified the principal about the incident, according to the suit.
In another incident, Pierce teacher John Allen repeatedly called Escobosa a "hoodlum" for wearing a hoodie despite the student's requests to be addressed by his name.
The lawsuit accuses Pierce High School of violating Title IV of the Civil Rights Act by maintaining a racially hostile educational environment and through intentional discrimination.
Escobosa’s attorney, Brad Gage, applauded his client's courage to speak out against the alleged racism.
“It’s hard for someone young to be able to stand up for themselves and their rights and to make a difference and a change. It’s important for everyone to stand up and not stay silent,” Gage said. “We as human beings have to stand up and expose any kind of hatred, whether it’s racial, religious, sexual orientation, and put a stop to it. If we don’t and let it continue, there will be more and more victims.”
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