Nooses being hung is unacceptable, meanspirited, and wrong. Expulsion would have been appropriate.I'm not sure but could this be considered a hate crime?
When are we going to learn to treat each other with respect and kindness?
when?
Lola
I heartily agree. The noose incident was taken seriously enough to be investigated by the FBI. According to federal officials, it "had all the markings of a hate crime." However, it wasn't prosecuted because it failed to meet the federal standards required for the teens to be certified as adults. The principal recommended expulsion, but the board of education overruled his recommendation. The punishment was reduced to three days of in-school suspension (not sure what that means.)
Importantly, however, the U.S. Attorney in the case claimed a lack of connection between the noose incident and the beating at the high school. None of the statements taken regarding the fight, over 40 in all, mentioned the noose incident.