Black Mother Sues School District Over Racist Bullying of Sons
A Black mother is fighting back.
Daphne Hawkins, the mother of two Black boys, is suing a California school district, saying her two elementary school sons endured repeated racist bullying that left them traumatized and fearful at school. The lawsuit, per The Root, says the boys were targeted for months and later showed symptoms consistent with PTSD.
According to the report, the family alleges the harassment was not isolated to their Mariposa Elementary School classroom, but part of a broader pattern that school officials failed to stop.
In one incident, the lawsuit alleges that in December 2024, a teacher taught a lesson on the Dutch Christmas character, Zwarte Piet, also known as “Black Pete.” The figure, a Santa Claus helper, is depicted as having exaggerated racist features similar to American blackface caricatures. One of the boys, the only Black child in the classroom, was asked to “model the costume.”
“The classroom lesson normalized and reinforced racial stereotypes and caused the Hawkins Children to feel singled out and demeaned on the basis of race, prompting classmates to stare, laugh, and subsequently reference the imagery in teasing comments,” the lawsuit alleges, per the LA Times.
It didn’t end there. Classmates also repeatedly referred to the children as “tar ball” and “mud.” A classmate also reportedly gave one of the boys a note, saying his skin was “as black as your future.”
Schools are expected to swiftly respond to racial bullying, document complaints, and protect students from further harm. The complaint adds to a growing number of civil rights cases in which parents say districts ignored racist abuse until it escalated.
“While we cannot comment on the specific allegations contained in the lawsuit, Redlands Unified takes concerns involving discrimination, harassment, bullying, and student well-being seriously,” said a spokesperson in a statement to the Times. “When concerns are brought forward, the District follows established procedures to review the matter, provide appropriate support, and take action consistent with District policy and applicable law.”
The mother’s lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. The family also seeks policy changes and accountability for what the boys experienced and for the district’s failure to intervene before the bullying caused serious harm.
