Richardson ISD commits to ending systemic racism within the district

Students of color in Richardson ISD have called on the district to address systemic racism, and by acknowledging and committing to tackling the issue, two of their demands have been met, according to a June 28 YouTube message from Superintendent Jeannie Stone.

“You have the commitment of our leadership, of our school board and of everyone that is a part of this work in Richardson ISD that we will remove systemic racism from within the halls, playgrounds, classrooms and all the places and spaces that encompass Richardson ISD,” she said.

Other demands include bringing more student voices to the table; creating policies and programs that close achievement gaps; holding teachers and students accountable for racist acts; and implementing anti-racism training. The students also called for the district to prioritize the comfort and well-being of individuals of color.

I recently received these Student Demands, and I am sharing these reflections. #RISDSaySomething pic.twitter.com/F2nr16RCra

— Jeannie Stone (@3jstone) June 18, 2020

“These words were not written by me; they were not written by adults. They were written by students, both present and past,” Stone said in the video.

Stone said she was initially put off by the request but had a change of heart once she heard stories of what the students had endured.

“After listening to them for three hours, I realized, and I told them, that the use of ‘demands’ was exactly the right and appropriate word choice,” she said.

The district adopted a diversity and inclusion policy a year ago, but it is time to take action, Stone said. One of the ways the district plans to do this is through the work of a racial equity committee, which will be made up of parents, teachers and students.

“I accept those words and demands that they have expressed with an open heart and an open mind and extend back to them and our entire community a commitment that we will make change,” she said.