Moorpark, NAACP to Discuss Racism Charges

The Moorpark school board agreed Tuesday night to meet next month with a representative of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People to discuss a black couple’s complaint that the school district has not adequately protected their son from racial harassment.

The decision to schedule the meeting was made after the superintendent of the Moorpark Unified School District told the board that “appropriate action” had been taken against a high school teacher for telling the youth last year that he would be “sent back to Watts” if he continued to misbehave.

The parents of the student, Andre Green, a senior at Moorpark High School, asked the board to officially condemn racial discrimination in the schools.

They were angered after Green’s car was among nine vandalized Nov. 7 in the school parking lot. The cars belonged to members of the school’s football team and cheerleading squad who had traveled by bus to a game in Santa Barbara.

Slur Scratched on Car

Vandals scratched a racial slur on the roof of Green’s car. The other cars received damage ranging from a broken antenna to a smashed windshield, Principal Cary Dritz said.

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies arrested two juveniles Monday on suspicion of misdemeanor vandalism in connection with an Oct. 31 incident at the school, where they are students. The two are also believed to be connected with the Nov. 7 incident, but have not yet been charged, Sgt. Terry Hughes said.

Green’s parents said that the district has failed to protect their son from racial incidents, including insults from the teacher who made the “Watts” comment.

Speaking to the school board, Supt. Michael R. Slater said the teacher had admitted making the comment, but insisted it was in jest. Slater said the teacher was disciplined last year, but did not elaborate.

‘Disgruntled’ Students

Slater said he believes the recent vandalism was directed toward the entire football team and its coach, rather than any individual. The vandalism was likely the work of students who are “disgruntled about athletics,” he said.

“I am not aware of anything racist or discriminatory at that school,” Slater said.

Green, a starting wide receiver on the varsity football team, was suspended for three days last year for punching another student who called him a name, his mother, Jacqueline Green, said. He also was kicked out of a football game last year for fighting after an opponent purportedly called him a name.

Andre Green attended the Tuesday meeting but did not speak to the board.

“I don’t like stuff like this happening,” he said in an interview, referring to the car vandalism. But he said he does not think students at the school are racists.

Green said he said believes the car vandalism was the work of a group of student heavy-metal fans.