After an appeals court ruling revived an anti-discrimination lawsuit, Leon Howard, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, is stressing the importance of making schools safe spaces for students.
“Students must feel safe at school and confident that their culture, history and personal dignity are valued and respected by the public schools they attend," Howard told the Associated Press.
An anti-discrimination lawsuit has been revived by an appeals court ruling, which involves an Albuquerque teacher accused of cutting off one Native American girl's hair and asking another if she was dressed as a “bloody Indian” during class on Halloween, AP reported. The lawsuit was filed by the New Mexico ACLU and accused the Albuquerque Public Schools and a teacher of discrimination and of fostering a hostile learning environment.
The girl's treatment sparked outrage, prompting legislation in New Mexico and other states prohibiting discrimination based upon hairstyle and religious head garments. According to Howard, the ruling affirms that public schools are subject to anti-discrimination protections as part of the New Mexico Human Rights Act.
Monica Armenta, Albuquerque Public Schools spokeswoman, said the district is considering options to appeal.
Specifically, the lawsuit contains detailed information, alleging that on Halloween in 2018, English teacher Mary Jane Eastin asked a Native American student whether she liked her braids and then cut off about three inches with scissors, according to AP News.
The lawsuit also alleges Eastin also asked another student, plaintiff McKenzie Johnson, 16, if she was dressed as a “bloody Indian.” Afterwards, the school's superintendent apologized publicly, adding that Eastin would not return to Cibola High School.
According to its website, "Cibola High School is one of 13 comprehensive high schools and eight Schools of Choice in the Albuquerque Public School district, with approximately 1,900 students in grades nine through 12."