School district faces federal complaint over Whites-only anti-racism programming

The Boston Public School (BPS) system is under fire after leaked internal documents revealed racially segregated programming for White teachers and parents aimed at addressing racism. A federal civil rights complaint has been filed against the district by Parents Defending Education (PDE), alleging that the White-only affinity groups violate Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The complaint highlights the existence of affinity groups such as the “Mendell Affinity Group for White People Challenging Racism” and the “White School Leader Affinity Group[s]” within BPS. These groups were designed to educate and support White individuals in confronting racism. However, PDE argues that segregating participants based on race is discriminatory and unacceptable.

Nicole Neily, president of PDE, expressed concern over the racially segregated programming within BPS, stating that excluding individuals based on skin color is inherently wrong. She emphasized the need for inclusivity and equality in educational settings.

In response to the leaked documents, the Biden administration released guidance emphasizing that while discussions about race and racism are important, excluding individuals based on race is a violation of Title VI. The guidance stressed the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Despite federal guidelines prohibiting racially segregated affinity groups, BPS continues to promote such programming on its website. The district’s emphasis on “anti-racism resources” includes guidelines for affinity groups based on racial/ethnic identity. Michele Exner, a senior adviser at PDE, noted that similar affinity groups have emerged in other states, raising concerns about the exclusionary nature of such initiatives.

The controversy surrounding racially segregated programming in BPS underscores the ongoing debate over how best to address racism in educational settings. While well-intentioned, these initiatives have sparked criticism for perpetuating discrimination based on race. Moving forward, advocates like PDE are calling for a reevaluation of such practices to ensure inclusivity and equality for all individuals within the education system.