Schools are intended to be safe havens for children. However, when that sense of safety is compromised—particularly by educators and school staff—the environment can transform into one of fear. A troubling incident involving a first-grader in Massachusetts illustrates this point vividly.
In November 2019, police were called on a six-year-old boy with no prior disciplinary issues, before his parents were even informed. The reason? An allegation of sexual harassment against a classmate. His parents, Mia and Jordan Steele, only learned of the situation after law enforcement had been involved, following a report from the dean of students who claimed the boy had inappropriately touched a girl.
This scenario highlights a disturbing reality: children of color, especially Black and Brown children, are often subjected to excessive policing and wrongful accusations compared to their white counterparts. Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. There are numerous examples, like the case of an 11-year-old girl in New Mexico who was tackled for being “disruptive” and a nine-year-old in Rochester, New York, who was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed.
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines childhood trauma as an emotional reaction to a distressing event. When such trauma stems from a school setting, it can lead to significant impacts on a child’s brain function, affecting memory, emotional regulation, and behavior. For the six-year-old boy in this case, being apprehended by police in a school environment might have lasting effects on his educational experience.
More than a year later, his parents are still seeking justice. They feel that the school acted excessively by calling the police without first contacting them and that their son’s race influenced the decision. “As a Black father, it’s heartbreaking to send my son to a place where I don’t feel he is safe,” Jordan Steele told local news. He lamented that school personnel often fail to see Black and Brown boys as innocent children, instead viewing them through a lens of suspicion.
This sentiment was echoed in an editorial from Boston University’s Daily Free Press, which criticized the extreme escalation of procedures in a case involving a Black and Latino child against a white child. It raised questions about the biases inherent in the school’s response system and suggested that this incident reflects broader issues of racial discrimination in the educational and judicial systems.
Lisa Carter, founder of the nonprofit Strategies for Youth, expressed her concern to the Boston Globe: “It’s disturbing that a simple touch escalated into accusations of abuse. There were certainly less traumatic ways to handle this situation.”
In my own experience with schools, communication with parents is prioritized. If there’s an incident, the school contacts me first, ensuring that I’m informed before any drastic measures are taken. In one recent instance, my daughter faced a threatening remark from another child. The teacher contacted me, and together we handled the situation without resorting to police involvement.
Sadly, for the Steele family, the school chose to call the authorities first, leaving their son with a record they are still fighting to clear. This situation underscores the difficulties that families of color face, having to have difficult conversations with their children about race and the police, compounded by the trauma of such an experience.
While the Somerville school district maintains that their actions were appropriate, they acknowledge the need for improvement in their systems. They should start by expunging the boy’s record and consider providing therapy to help him cope with the trauma caused by their decision.
Children deserve to feel safe and supported in their learning environments. This incident serves as a stark reminder that equity in education is crucial and that systemic changes are necessary to ensure that all students are treated fairly and justly.
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Summary
The article discusses the troubling incident of a Massachusetts school calling the police on a six-year-old boy accused of sexual harassment without notifying his parents first. It highlights the disproportionate policing of children of color and the lasting trauma that such experiences can cause. The piece advocates for schools to prioritize communication with parents and handle situations with more care to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
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