School Expulsions
In supporting the right of the Decatur, Ill., school board to expel the students who participated in a violent melee at a high school football game, a federal judge refuted the contentions of the Rev. Jesse Jackson that the district’s decision was based on race and represented a denial of due process (Jan. 12). Undeterred, Jackson continues to play the race card. He claims that, nationwide, “African Americans and other minorities are disproportionately impacted by school disciplinary rules.” Is Jackson suggesting that school rules against fighting and gang activities represent racial bias? Is he suggesting that racial quotas should guide school disciplinary decisions?
The real tragedy in all of this is that Jackson could have used his leadership position and his access to the media to send a strong message to the youthful perpetrators in Decatur that their criminal behavior was reprehensible.
DENNIS L. EVANS
Irvine
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