By John Dobberstein, Editor
A video on social media showing a Broken Arrow High School student using racial epithets to describe Hispanics at her school has sparked a flurry of public reaction, and school officials say the situation has been addressed.
The student, a junior, refers in the video to Hispanics at her school as “fat ass beaners” who can’t speak English, before concluding they act like “savages” and should go back to their own “ghetto country.”
The Sentinel is not naming the student due to her being a juvenile, and because of physical threats reportedly being directed at her. We are also not sharing the video itself due to its inflammatory content. The 32-second video was recorded at the child’s home and was shared on her personal social media.
In summary, the video shows the student saying she hopes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up at the school to “get all the (expletive) illegals out. Because nothing makes me more mad than walking in the hallway and a (expletive) huge ass group of fat-ass beaners that can’t speak (expletive) English are taking up the entire hallway and just screaming and acting crazy like (expletive) savages. Like why don’t you go do that in your (expletive) ghetto-ass country?”
The student’s mother, Melony Birt, took to Facebook to defend her daughter, saying the incident was being “blown out of proportion.” Birt said the video being circulated was only a portion of the “entire” video related to illegal immigration.
Birt stated her daughter, “is allowed to give her opinion and wasn’t coached by me,” adding that she’s a minor and children that age do “stupid stuff.” Birt said kids have threatened her daughter and vowed to “jump her” at school.
“Violence is not the answer,” Birt wrote in a Facebook post addressing the situation. “Go ahead and bash me if you want to but leave my child alone. She is an excellent student and trying to learn about what’s happening in our country, not just immigration. Sometimes we get it wrong and that’s called growth.”
Broken Arrow Public Schools Chief Communications Officer, Tara Thompson said district administrators became aware of the video a couple of weeks ago and immediately addressed the issue with the family, and the video was removed from public view.
She reiterated the video was posted to the students’ personal social media accounts using her own device and that this happened outside of school hours. Nevertheless, Thompson said BAPS considered the video to be “highly inappropriate, offensive and contained comments directly aimed at students in our high school.”
Thompson said BAPS could not legally disclosed any disciplinary action taken against the student, but when activities constitute a “substantial disruption” to the learning environment BAPS has grounds for issuing discipline – “even when those activities occur outside the school day or off school property.”
“Given the eternal nature of things posted to the Internet, the video resurfaced last week. Multiple people have reposted the video and tagged the district with demands for action,” Thompson said. “Again, the issue was addressed the week it was discovered, and we are now working to manage the negative comments aimed at the district for a video that was neither of our making nor reflective of our values.”
Thompson said BAPS is reminding students that respect is part of the “Tiger Creed” and “we challenge them to show it through their words and actions, especially this week.
“Those who are contacting us expressing concerns about this video are reassured that we share their disgust, and that such behaviors will not be tolerated. If they become aware of any new information surrounding this issue, we ask them to immediately contact a district official with details. Incidents like this will not go unaddressed.”
Melony Birt says
I have met with the school twice to discuss the choas that has ensued. We have kept her out of school for her safety and with hope things would settle down. Despite her absence, school administrators report the energy continues to increase. She is not a threat to other students and has never made a threat to do harm. Her opportunity to a positive educational experience is being affected, just as the other kids this has effected. She said some very offensive things and is reaping the backlash. Her comments due not justify the bullying she is receiving. Wrong is wrong and one behavior should not justify another bad behavior. This entire situation is saddening.
She didn’t share the video on open social media. The message was sent to a small group of kids that she discusses issues with; a group she felt was a safe place to express things she has learned from the ongoing media coverage related to illegal immigration. One of the kids was offended and began sharing it. Once it was posted on the South Broken Arrow Neighbor Alert FB site, I responded to remind the adults that kids to stupid stuff, as we all have. I never stated I was defending her poor decision or that her actions were not being addressed at home. I am astounded that adults are using language and racial slurs comparable to what’s being protested. Adults advocating for my daughter to be jumped at school is disturbing. Adults posting my address, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and photos are equally disturbing. The threats we have received by social media, telephone and text are not “reportedly”, they are very real, including someone threatening to show up at my house with a gun and revealing my address. These threats have been reported to the police and are be taking seriously.
The subject has the entire nation in division and the kids are getting sucked into the Civil upset. We should all strive to act with more grace. Respecfully.
John Dobberstein says
Melony, thank you for responding and providing additional perspective on this. We certainly hope and pray this situation is resolved peacefully and students can move forward with a little better understanding of how to appropriately handle free speech issues.
ava says
hey, your kid is a racist and that came from somewhere (you). stop playing the victim and get your house in order.
Randall Galt says
I am a 61 year old veteran and was born and raised in Broken Arrow. Racism and bigotry was rampant against Hispanic folks even when I was a teenager. It’s not just disgusting to see that nothing has changed in my hometown but that even today parents like yourself, Melony, are simply shrugging your shoulders and defending this with ‘well she thought she was among racist-okay friends’. It’s clear that you are the source of her bigoted beliefs and going by the Fox 23 interview, your daughter isn’t “suffering the backlash” in the slightest. You aren’t about to correct her or punish her for this. You softly endorse it. So why would anyone believe you don’t share in her ignorance? Purely white trash.
Maranda says
I’m sorry your child is dealing with this. It is unfortunate that this is the lesson they are having to learn from a frustration they vented on social media. I can tell you in my dealing with the BAPS system that their main concern is their reputation. I pray that your daughter keep her head up and understand that this was a mistake and we all make them. I hate that grown adults are advocating for harm against your daughter and family. Sending all my best and may this situation rectify itself swiftly and without further harm.
Oscarello says
I am an US Citizen born not paper made. Brown and very proud. And yet like African Americans I have to battle these bs all my life. Just because some one like her has the ignorant ideology that they are above anyone. Even my kids who also are born here and pledged to the flag have been told to pack up. Wt….Her actions show her great level of ignorance. Unfortunately we have virus in the white house and seems like it is spreading just by listening to our governor and to the superintendent Walters. What a joke. And now at schools. Freedom of speech they say. I wonder what that is or how to use it.. Truly Freedom of speech is to express yourself or have an opinion about anything BUT when you use it to insult and attack someone just because how they look or sound then it turns into hate. I saw the video and unfortunately the girl has issues. It didn’t show having an opinion rather showed rage and dislike for others that don’t look like her. One of the things you should have learned is respect. Respect for yourself, respect towards others people, respect towards what is not yours. I am not for violence but at the same time this is a great opportunity for mom to teach her daughter that every thing we do has consequences and we have to try to fix the situation it might be. I would suggest to make another video with the same energy and emphasis apologizing. Maybe the community will calm down. I too hope this event calms down for the sake of everyone.
Joe Walker says
The mother says, “Sometimes we get it wrong and that’s called growth.”
Yet in the FOX23 interview, the daughter says:
“I mean I do feel really bad, but after getting the backlash, it’s not going to change my mind and my opinion still stays strong.”
This is not growth.
Derek says
Defending a position by citing freedom of speech is the ultimate concession. You’re saying that the most compelling thing you can say in favor of your position is that it’s not literally illegal for you to express.
Jane doe says
The behavior exhibited by the student is unacceptable and hurtful, and it’s essential to address the harm caused.
Holding individuals accountable for their actions is crucial, especially in cases involving hate speech or discriminatory behavior. Consequences help to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated or encouraged.
It’s also important to recognize the impact on the targeted community and to provide support and resources to those affected.
I hope the school district takes appropriate action to address this incident and promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all students.