You can not make this stuff up… Elementary school should be a place where children learn to read, write and make friends. Instead, according to a federal lawsuit, two Black brothers at a Southern California elementary school endured months of racial harassment that included slurs, degrading comments about their skin color and even a note telling one child that his skin was “as black as your future.”
Their mother is now accusing the Redlands Unified School District of ignoring repeated warnings and failing to protect her sons from a hostile environment that left lasting emotional scars, according to the Los Angeles Times. The federal civil rights lawsuit alleges that the boys, students at Mariposa Elementary School, were subjected to racist bullying by classmates for months, including repeated use of racial slurs and written insults passed between students.
One of the boys allegedly received a note comparing his skin color to “dog food.” Another read, “Your skin is as black as your future.” The boys’ mother, Daphne Hawkins, claims the abuse escalated over time despite being repeatedly reported to school staff. According to the complaint reviewed by the Redlands Daily Facts, administrators failed to intervene, instead relying on counseling and informal responses rather than disciplinary measures to stop the harassment.
A critical incident cited in the complaint involved a classroom lesson on Zwarte Piet, a Dutch holiday figure widely criticized for racist imagery and often depicted by white actors in blackface. The lawsuit alleges one of the boys, the only Black child in the classroom, was singled out during the class. Following the lesson, bullying intensified.
According to the complaint, both children later developed symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the harassment continued unchecked.
The district declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations due to the ongoing suit. “While we cannot comment on the specific allegations contained in the lawsuit, Redlands Unified School District takes concerns involving discrimination, harassment, bullying, and student well-being seriously,” a spokesperson said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “When concerns are brought forward, the District follows established procedures to review the matter, provide appropriate support, and take action consistent with District policy and applicable law.”
Civil rights advocates say the case highlights ongoing concerns about how schools respond to racial bullying, particularly when it involves younger students. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and policy changes aimed at preventing Black children from experiencing similar abuse in the future.
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