Study Lists Causes of Latino-Black Inglewood High Melees

An indifferent teaching staff, deteriorating buildings and a perceived favoritism toward black students were a few of the systemic factors cited in a report examining why violence frequently erupts between blacks and Latinos at Inglewood High School around Cinco de Mayo.

The Inglewood Conflict Resolution Task Force, formed after this year’s unrest ended with several arrests and the looting of nearby businesses, recommended increased student involvement in school problem-solving, stepped-up multicultural and after-school programs and recruitment of Latino staff members to avoid unrest and address student needs.

Borden Olive, a facilitator on the task force, said members were surprised by some of their findings. “We thought the problem was just an antagonism between Latinos and African Americans, but it was really a problem of feeling underserved.”

The study, based on interviews with about 566 students, faculty, counselors and administrators, found that most of the disturbances were the result of a “perceived difference of treatment” between Latinos and African Americans, along with a “lack of school pride” and a lack of involvement with school activities. Latinos make up about 50% of the student body, and African Americans account for about 40%.

A key example cited was the many activities devoted to celebrating Black History Month and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, compared to the single-day event allotted for Cinco de Mayo.

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The study also cites many complaints by students of an “absence of Latino staff at every level,” and teachers who were non-receptive to Latino students.

According to the report, students also thought that teachers were not motivating them to learn, that they were not academically challenging. “The kids felt that some teachers and administrators did not care,” Olive said.

“The transition from a predominantly African American to a predominantly Latino student body is a gradual process, but some staff and students are having difficulty recognizing or accepting the change,” the study reported.

School District Supt. McKinley M. Nash Sr. said he is working to accommodate those changes.

“Though our student body looks black and brown, we actually have a significant Afro-Caribbean community, Cubans and a large Central American population,” he said.

“We plan to extend after-school programs and add all kinds of cultural events to be sensitive to the needs of a very diverse student body,” he said.

In-service training in diversity for faculty and staff were also recommended in the study.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” said task force member David Stewart. “The students were upset with what appeared to be lack of attention from the administration and teachers, and this had more to do with other factors than with their relationship to the person sitting next to them. I think [the outbursts] really gave them a voice.”

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The study also found that the majority of students thought there weren’t enough school activities to promote a sense of pride and connection to their school, nor enough to provide alternatives to engaging in the unrest.

“Some felt that if students had alternatives during lunch, they might not have been inclined to participate in the disturbances,” the report said.

Another factor in the unrest was the school’s appearance, task force members said.

“The deteriorated campus, including filthy bathrooms, creates a demoralizing atmosphere,” the report said. “Inglewood High School is over 75 years old and hasn’t washed its face, much less had a face lift.”

Although some of the recommendations are construction issues that can only be accomplished through a bond issue, Stewart said, other recommendations, such as “recognizing the diversity of Latino students,” don’t require money to implement.

“The school has already initiated some changes,” he said. A parent cleanup program to help beautify the school is planned July 11.

Although some administrators have voiced concerns that the report will amount to little more than a ceremonial gesture, Olive said he is convinced that the school board is ready to make sweeping changes.

“They really have seen the handwriting on the wall.”