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Eagle Point battles discrimination Photos by Bob Pennell Hispanic and Anglo students mix on the Antelope Creek Bridge, a favorite Eagle Point High School lunchtime hangout. Racial tensions have increased recently at the school, prompting administrators to form outreach committees and hold diversity meetings. Rumors feed tension By DAMIAN MANN EAGLE POINT - Confronted with an increase in racial tension and a town abuzz with rumors, high school officials have stepped up efforts to stop discrimination and raise diversity awareness. "I believe that there is definitely a misunderstanding between the two cultures, and there are definitely students who don't appreciate another's culture," said Principal Mari Brabbin. "We're aware of this and we're trying to take proactive steps." After two bomb threats, a racially sparked fight and a message on a bathroom wall threatening to attack Hispanics in the past month, Eagle Point High School officials reached out to the community in an effort to quell mounting tension. The school has taken disciplinary action against several students - Hispanic and Anglo - involved in the fight, which took place off school grounds in a local park. But, apart from the fight and what many students feel is an increase in racism, most of the tension appears to have resulted from a rash of rumors. To dispel these rumors and to stop any potential fights, police have been working overtime and on their days off. The school has called in representatives from other school districts and has asked for help from the Hispanic community to help defuse the problem. Students from the leadership class, made up of Hispanics and Anglos, are leading a committee to educate students about the importance of appreciating other cultures. Two meetings with the student body have been held on diversity, and many teachers are discussing the subject in class. "We're making every effort to promote diversity in the high school," said Brabbin. "Many of our students have not learned to appreciate other cultures. We want to work on that perception." Brabbin said some students have the mistaken impression that 20 Hispanic students who gather together constitute a gang, or a potential threat. "They have this idea that those kids are plotting to do something," said Brabbin. "These are some of the underlying misperceptions that are ongoing." Rumors at the high school have run rampant about retaliation against Hispanic students and also that a gun was found on campus, both of which were unfounded."We have heard threats of kids fighting but it's all rumor," said Eagle Point Chief Dave Strand. "One kid will tell another kid there's going to be a fight, but nothing comes of it." For weeks, rumors circulated of a scheduled fight between Anglos and Hispanics. A message scrawled on the bathroom wall at the high school warned of retaliation against Hispanics on May 29. Superintendent Bill Jones said the graffiti was removed but reappeared the next day. Jones believes the rumors have tended to exacerbate the situation. Even so, Jones said, "We've had an eye opener with our Hispanic community. We found that our communications could be improved on." One thing the school discovered was many Hispanic parents were upset that an automated telephone machine didn't leave a message in Spanish. Jones said the district has since upgraded the unit. The district will also work on translating more of its documentation into Spanish. Nine percent of the high school's students are Hispanic. "We're working with a diverse community," he said. "We're doing the best we can but we can always improve." Students at the school had a variety of opinions about racism on campus, most agreeing it was a problem. Sophomore Keosha Butler and junior Stacy Cole feel that some teachers have contributed to the problem. Butler said one of her teachers told her, "'I know with black people and Hispanic people that you can't learn as fast as white people.'" They said that problems between Hispanics and Anglos have increased recently. "The problem started two months ago," Butler said. "A lot of people were thinking that Mexicans are going to take over the school." Butler and Cole say they are often called names for associating with Hispanics. Cole blames the problems on a group of Anglo students. "Twenty to 50 white people started this racial crap." Sophomore Rudy Salas, who is Hispanic, said fights start when Anglo students call Hispanics names. "They talk smack and we stand up." Junior Jorge Villa said, "The school has always been racist." But Junior Herrera, a junior, said a lot of the tension has already died down and people are getting along better. Two other students, one Hispanic the other Anglo, say they have been friends for a long time, and are upset at the racial comments made on campus. One of them, sophomore Junior Rios, said a lot of the problems start "when other guys are trying to act tough." His friend, freshman Rodney Gills, said, "During the whole year there has been racial comments." Brabbin said it will be difficult to overcome these impressions, but she will continue to work to make the school a safer place. "I find all these kids delightful," said Brabbin. "It doesn't matter what color their skin is. I just want them to feel safe to come to the high school." Reporter Melissa Martin also contributed to this story. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.