A shocking case of racial discrimination in Alabama schools has come to an end. The Escambia County School District in Alabama has agreed to end the use of race-based selection criteria for homecoming courts and other student activities in two of its high schools.
In a disturbing revelation, it was found that Escambia County High School permitted students to elect two homecoming queens and two homecoming attendants, one African-American and one not. W.S. Neal High School also had a similar longstanding practice of using race-based criteria for election of students to its Valentine’s Day courts.
To resolve the department’s concerns over these practices, the Escambia County Board of Education voluntarily adopted a district-wide non-discrimination policy for extracurricular activities. The policy will end the use of race-based election and selection criteria in all student activities.
The agreement requires the district to fully implement and enforce its new non-discrimination policy, to notify parents and students of changes to student election practices and to provide compliance reports to the Justice Department for at least one year.
The use of race-based selection and election criteria in public schools’ extracurricular activities, including homecoming courts, proms and similar activities is prohibited by Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Justice Department has challenged such practices in a number of school districts over the years.
“We commend the Escambia County Board of Education for acting swiftly to abolish the use of race in student activities and to ensure that no student is denied participation in any extracurricular activity based on race,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
The enforcement of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in school districts is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its Web site at www.justice.gov/crt.
Defendant: Escambia County School District
Criminal Charges: Racial Discrimination
City and State: Escambia County, Alabama
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Agreement to end race-based selection criteria
Dollar Amounts: Not applicable
Related Federal Cases
- Escambia County School District Ends Racial Segregation in Student Activities · Alabama
- Gary City, Racial Discrimination in Hiring, Gary IN, 2023 · Indiana
- Warren Properties Inc, Disability Discrimination, Alabama 2024 · Alabama
- Samuel B. Kent, Sexual Abuse and Abusive Contact, Alabama 2009 · Texas
- Christopher H. Murray, Bribery and False Statements, Alabama 2007 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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