Lunenberg Forfeits Season Over Racist Graffiti: MA High School Investigating Racial Slurs
Lunenberg forfeited the rest of their football season after one of the Massachusetts junior varsity players found racist graffiti spray painted on his home. 13-year-old Isaac Phillips, who is half-black, half-white, found "Knights don't need n------!"and the last two games of the season were canceled pending an investigation.
Lunenberg's forfeit was announced by school superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes Monday after investigation into the graffiti incident began. Isaac, who is in eighth grade but plays on the high school team, has a father who is black and mother who is white.
"I don't really understand why someone would even do something like this," he told WCVB-TV. "I have two younger brothers and another sister. This is our house, this is where we live. Eventually, they're going to see it."
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The blue spray paint was the last incident that happened the same day Phillips said his cleats were thrown in the trash and the tires on his bicycle were slashed. The student feels his teammates are at fault.
At a game against South High Community School earlier in November, some Lunenberg players allegedly used racial slurs against the other team. Isaac's father Anthony Phillips complained at the time and feels the issue was never addressed. He also wants the coaches of the football team fired.
The cancellation of the final two games of the season is designed to pressure one of the players to come forward. FBI, state police and the district attorney's office are now investigating, Police Chief James P. Marino told The Boston Globe.
Lunenberg is also taking steps to address the school's issues with diversity.
"The educators and coaches of Lunenberg value diversity, and we care deeply about all of our students," Calmes said in a statement. "We have no tolerance for racism in any form, and we do everything we can to eliminate it from our schools and our community."
"Numerous members of the faculty and staff were in attendance at the vigil [Sunday] night, along with the entire football coaching staff and team," the superintendent added. "We have also sought out the assistance of the Anti-Defamation League to assist us in delivering additional educational program for students to teach tolerance."
