White Student Union Vote Is Postponed
After more than a week of controversy at Ventura High School over a proposal to form a white student union, the school’s student council Monday postponed voting on formation of the group for a second time because organizers could not attract a teacher to serve as sponsor.
The call for a white group to study the history and culture of Northern Europe followed the recent formation of the Black Student Union and came in the wake of an attack on a black student.
Zaylore Stout, the 17-year-old president of the Black Student Union, said he was accosted by a former student Oct. 17. Stout said he was hit by the man who had shouted a racial slur.
A petition requesting a white student union was circulated on campus after the incident. It was signed by 150 students, organizers said.
Student representatives, who were expected to vote on the issue last week, said they would take up the issue again next Monday.
Organizers so far have been unable to meet school requirements to form a club, said Jerry Barshay, Ventura High principal.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
