The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) is responding to two alleged incidents of anti-Asian racism by students at Horace Mann and Hawthorne elementary schools. After the two elementary schools experienced what officials describe as “student-to-student racist incidents directed towards Asian Americans,” school administrators had all K-5 teachers hold discussions on racism in their classrooms. Despite some disagreement with the measures, the district says that racism must be addressed explicitly to make progress in combating it.
“As a school district, we often refer back to our BHUSD Vision and Mission Statement when making decisions: In a safe and supportive community, BHUSD will deliver a rigorous and enriching quality education, and prepare all students to thrive as productive citizens in a complex, changing world,” BHUSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Bregy told the Courier. “All students will be inspired to act with integrity and realize their academic potential while achieving college and career readiness. As part of preparing students to thrive as productive citizens in a complex, changing world, we take an active role in helping students to understand that teasing can come in different forms and that when it is connected to race it has a different impact that must be acknowledged.”
