In Portland, Oregon, a Black family is seeking accountability from a local Catholic school following a series of events they describe as racially discriminatory. Mike Phillips and Karis Stoudamire-Phillips allege that their 10-year-old son was subjected to a racial slur on the playground. When they addressed the incident with the school's administration, they claim their concerns were met with defensiveness and dismissiveness. Subsequently, the school called the police on them, and their son was expelled for purportedly violating the school's parental code of conduct. 

The school's parental code of conduct stipulates that while parents can express concerns, they must do so without being "disrespectful, discourteous, disruptive, threatening, hostile, or divisive." 

The Phillips family contends that their actions were a justified response to the racial incident involving their son. 

Mike Phillips expressed the emotional toll on their child, stating, "It was cold, it was brash, and it was something that emotionally scarred my son."

Karis Stoudamire-Phillips added, "We were met with defense, dismissiveness, and not wanting to take accountability for what had happened."

The incident has garnered significant community attention, with thousands signing an online petition advocating for the child's reinstatement. In response to the public outcry, Principal Tresa Rast was placed on leave, and the vice principal assumed the acting principal position.

Community leaders have also voiced their concerns. 

James Posey, President of the Portland NAACP, remarked, "It’s a double-whammy, a double-hit, a stacking-on," emphasizing the compounded challenges Black children face in such situations. Associate Pastor Jelani Greenidge of Access Covenant Church penned a letter to Father Bonaventure Rummell, highlighting the significance of the incident and drawing parallels to the parable of the lost sheep, suggesting the school's actions convey a message that one Black child is not a priority.