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A.B. Interviewed April 19, 2006

I live in a city that was called "Little Chicago" during the 1920's. Now this place is called Minot (Magic City), North Dakota. Since I am a native Chicagoan, I was drawn to this area by the knowledge that Minot is called “little Chicago” after finding it on the Internet. I moved here March of 2003, in hopes that my son and I would have a slower pace of life. This place is the most racist place I've ever lived.. I thought that this would be a healthy, positive and nurturing environment for my son and I. If you are non-white, there are many prejudices here, along with huge barriers.

For starters...My son phoned me at approximately 12:29 p.m. March 15, 2006 to inform me that he was forced to vomit into a milk carton and garbage can. This staff member told my son that he was lying about having to vomit; therefore denying him permission to go to the boys room. As a result, he was forced to open up his milk carton to vomit in it. Then one other staff member got a garbage can where he continued to vomit until he was finished. If she'd allowed him to go in the first place he would not have had to vomit in a milk carton and garbage can in front of the entire lunch room with other children to see it along with a hand of other adults being present.

The staff member whom he asked permission is the same individual 2 weeks ago that got in his face; shouting at him, and being confrontational regarding an incident that occurred between my son and another white student. My son was forced to sit at the "good boy table" for the next two days. The white student was not punished. According to my son the principal told him...."he better not disrespect her staff again!" When I met with the principal the following day she did not deny this.

The second week of February I phoned the principal on two occasions to inform her of students using the word "NIGGER" on the playground at recess. She told me she would address this I have yet to hear or get any follow through from her.

The third and fourth week of February I spoke with her in regard to the music teacher instructing my son that she wanted a note from me to explain why he did not want to be participant in learning The Star Spangled Banner. The principal again told me she would speak to her staff person; still no follow up or word from the principal.

The fourth week of February I went to pick my son up from school to discover he was being held in the principal's office due to a incident from a altercation with another white student. I then reminded the principal that she'd been informed on several occasions to contact me if my son is in her office. She continuously interrogates and meets with my son without my presence. I informed her that my son has verbalized to me that he is in fear of her and does not trust her.

While in her office she became irate because I'd informed her that I was tired "enough is enough" ! What recourse am I and my son left with if she does nothing to communicate or follow up with us regarding issues and problems at her institution.

I'd even told her that after she'd supposedly spoke to the teacher regarding The Star Spangled Banner issue, that same teacher questioned my son again. My son told her to please speak with my mother...the teacher told him "you tell me." "It is because of the history between blacks and whites?” I mean this occurred after the principal supposedly (her boss) had spoken to her.

I told the principal that the issue should have ended when my son said because of religious beliefs. I reminded- the principal about the first amendment (freedom of religion). The principal told me "I'll speak to her again". I said, "First there was the "NIGGER" issue, the Star Spangled Banner issue, and this day its you having my son being in your office without my knowledge regarding a kid that has been kicking my son every week since school started. I can't take it any longer I wanted this school year to be peaceful. But to no avail this is not the case. I was sitting across a table from her and she accused me of pointing my finger at her and that I'd gone too far. I said to her "you are getting upset from me sitting across from you allegedly pointing my finger at you; so how do you think my son felt when one of your staff member got in face?

Rule of thumb, Psychology 101...one should not invade ones own personal space. I told her that my son's Child Psychologist has taught my son in group therapy that this should not be done and to walk away.

The principal has gone far to say to me to explain one of her staff's inappropriate behavior that "ITS PREDOMINANTLY WHITE HERE: THIS WHY IT WOULD BE STRANGE OR NOT UNDERSTANDABLE WHY NO ONE WOULD NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER".

On March 16, 2006, my son was kicked in his groin. My son told me the principal told him after having defending himself that he did not have any right to choke the boy that kicked him. My son had about 6-7 willing witnesses that told him if he needed them, they will tell the principal what truly happened. The principal asked my son did he want them present. My son informed her that yes he would. The principal asked my son "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job? " The principal punished my son, and another student (who stopped another student - we've had previous problems with the student, I had to call the police) from assaulting my son while he was on the ground; sit in for recess March 17, 2006. This same student was also one of my son witnesses; he was punished for assisting my son. The student who tried to assault my son did not have to sit in for recess. The following week my the school phoned me to inform me that me son was vomiting and needed to be picked up from school....he told me his groin area was hurting. I took him to his physician that day...his physician examined him and told me there was bruising and tenderness in his groin area.

I phoned her (March 21, 2006) to speak to her regarding an incident that took place on March 16, 2006 and asked her why she did not contact me? The principal did not reply. I said, "you told me whether the child is the aggressor or defender that he must be punished. I told her that she was being biased and that my son is no longer to be in her office for recess. The principal said, "Then he will be suspended." The principal said, "Mrs. (name deleted) I'm hanging up on you now." She hung up on me.

Last year she told that because my son is African-American he has more energy that the other kids. I would sit in my car at recess to watch the kids to discover that either there is no monitor or only one with over 20 or more children. When I told the principal that I have had associates and myself sit and watch and witness playground bullying and fighting, she did not respond.

I spoke with her boss, the Superintendent, face to face with a witness present. I asked what does he plan to do regarding the bullying and fighting that occurs on school property? Can he send notes home to the parents, can a assembly be held regarding this matter? My son was being brutalized, almost everyday. The Superintendent said "I'm not having an assembly or contacting parents. I know (the principal), I'm sure she's addressing this matter and doing the best she can. I asked, "Are the children being taught about diversity?" I said, "Your schools promotes Character Counts - it has the seven or nine components one is respect. These children are not respecting each other if they are putting their hands on a person with the intent to cause harm. I've had a police report and pictures taken of my son's lip and face that was injured from a student that continued to beat upon him that I'd informed the principal of. I picked him up from school to find a lump in his lip and a bloody mouth. No one called me regarding this incident." The Superintendent supported the principal as well as the Asst. Superintendent. Nothing was done in regard to this incident from Minot Public schools.

I mean I could go on and on. I have a police report, documentation from doctors and witnesses.

My son has been in therapy since we moved here from Chicago, IL due to having been picked on, kicked, stomped, called derogatory names, and spat upon. My son has been placed on promethazine due to continuous vomiting, because he hates to go to school. All of these incidents at this school have been documented. His doctors were made aware.

If you are African-American here they assume you're from the military. They refer to you as a "baser". I been told to my face "we don't like baser's or Indians here."

One of my son's physicians has told me to leave this place. She is of Hispanic descent after her residency here she left as she'd said.

I've had other white people tell me that this town does what it wants and that no one is going to come in and change anything and the towns people know it.

I called the Minot Daily Times on March 15, 2003, to ask how can I have my story wrote in the paper to make awareness of what goes on here. I was told "we don't solve peoples problems." If I would attend the town meeting that is held once a month and repeat what I said he may print it.

A white friend of mine advised me against it; she said I will make myself a target.

On March 17, 2006 a representative phoned me from The Board of Education in Bismarck. She told me she cannot make them change; everything is locally governed. She went on to say that there is a diversity problem in the Dakotas, she feels bad for me. She gave me the president of the board name and address and told me to submit in writing everything I told her; not to be afraid to mention the diversity issue and to inform the president that I will be in attendance at the next meeting. Basically she really could not help me.

You know on an episode of the Cosby Show I saw Cliff (Bill Cosby) with a Minot State University sweat shirt on. I live down the street from the University...while watching him I thought and I wondered if he knows what he is truly wearing. I'll be living this place of hatred very soon.