Illinois Education Association, local union presidents release joint statement after racist actions at high school football game

FRANKFORT - In light of the racist actions directed at Homewood-Flossmoor High School (HFHS) students during the Lincoln-Way East High School and HFHS football game Friday night, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) is issuing the following joint statement in conjunction with our locals at both high schools.

The following joint statement is attributable to IEA President Karl Goeke, Homewood-Flossmoor Education Association President Dana Noble, Homewood-Flossmoor Classified Staff Organization President Paula Snyder, Lincoln-Way Education Association President Patrick Leonard and Lincoln-Way High School Education Support Professionals Co-Presidents Nicholas Albergo and Jeremy Horvath:

"The Illinois Education Association (IEA) condemns the racist harassment directed at Homewood-Flossmoor students during Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor football game.  The behavior is completely unacceptable and deeply troubling. No student should have to experience racial slurs, racist gestures or harassment at a school or athletic event.

The Illinois Education Association's mission is to effect excellence and equity in public education. We believe that commitment requires us to stand firmly against racism and racial harassment whenever and wherever it occurs. Every student deserves to attend school and participate in school activities in an environment where they are safe, respected and treated with dignity, regardless of the color of their skin.

While we appreciate that the offending students were removed from the game and Lincoln-Way East administration has committed to take appropriate disciplinary action,  this cannot be the end of the response. Racist behavior must have meaningful consequences, and schools have a responsibility to ensure their students understand the harm caused by racism and the responsibility we all share for creating school communities where every student is treated with dignity and respect.

The students who were subjected to this harassment deserve to know the public education community unequivocally stands with them. There is no place for racism, racial harassment or intimidation in our schools, at our athletic events or anywhere in our communities."

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state's largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.