Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Teacher Calls Student 'Nappy-Headed,' Student Kicked Out of School for Complaining

schoolbus.jpg
Photo by loop_oh via Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Brea Persley was in science class, reports KTLA, when her teacher allegedly slung a racial slur at her, telling the 13-year-old to "sit your nappy-headed self down."

When Persley's mom, Shronda Williams, went in and spoke to the principal at Inglewood's Century Academy of Excellence about the incident, though, rather than getting an apology, she was told that the principal was happy about what happened, because "bad things need to happen to mean kids."

The principal then informed Williams that Persley was expelled from school. In a letter sent home to Persley's family, the school stated that she had been kicked out expressly because her mother complained to the principal.

Because Century Academy is a charter school, they can make their own rules about expelling kids, and only have to answer to the accreditation board or legal action taken against them. Williams has said that she plans to take the case to the board.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today