Only Black Students Chosen As Wait Staff For Annual King Ceremony: School Administration Actions Outrage Black Community Of Frederick Maryland

From its “shab row” European style brick cottages to its cobblestone pathways, its perhaps the ideal community that resembles the “old country” kind of living which attract rural family culture. Its scenic landscapes provide thrill seekers with adventure, and cutting edge cuisine is served up in Civil War-era buildings alongside unique specialty shops, galleries, museums, and theaters. The town’s motto “Where Hip meets History” is an alluring calling cry that solicits tourist to one of the state’s many historical communities embodied with modern flare and culturally rich southern hospitality, but perhaps the Northern Maryland town of Frederick is still lagging far behind in other areas of modern society, like class, race, and social consciousness. Some say while the proud community promotes its self for cultural diversity, a subtle and covert culture of racism persist.

Black families living in Frederick say that actions by an Oakdale High School Assistant Principal, surrounding the county’s annual Rev. Martin Luther King Celebration is indicative of the kind of subliminal forms of racism that still potentially exist within the Frederick community. Recently, a group of all black students were summoned to the school’s main office, where Assistant Principal William Caufield met with the kids, gave them a flyer announcing the county’s annual King Celebration, and had the students sign a participation list indicating that they have agreed to participate in the program as “Servers.” The parents concerns weren’t very explicit initially, because of the significance of the celebration, and the national pride usually associated with the holiday within the black community.

However, once the parents explained their objection toward only black students having been selected for the role of “Servers” for the function, juxtapose to the ethnic demographics of the school’s student body population, a crystal clear perspective can be easily discerned, and establishes why developing concern and suspicion pertaining the criteria for selecting these particular kids for the purpose of serving food at the event. Oakdale High of Frederick in Northern Maryland has a total of 1205 students that are enrolled this school year, and the ethnic breakdown is:

White Students      =1002
Hispanic Students =64
Black Students        =55
Asian Students        =32
Mixed Students       =45

Parents argue that its extremely troubling that while black kids only make up just about 6% of the entire student body, only black kids having been selected as participants to serve food at the event, is not just problematic, but they say it more than likely was done so deliberately. They cite the demeaning roles that ancestors of blacks in America (who were slaves) were subjected to during slavery, the Jim Crow era, and other social settings that reduced people of color to servant like capacities. The parents believe that while there clearly isn’t a coincidence for the selection of a black only student “wait staff,” no rationalization could ever explain the choice of just black kids being hand picked for such a role considering their small number within the student population. They believe that common sense alone should have kicked in, allowing the school official to avoid the mere appearance or implication of prejudice by choosing the participants from a more diverse aspect of the student body, especially considering the sensitive nature  of the event for which these kids would be participating.   

Additionally, they also believe that not all of the kids actually wanted to participate in the program, but rather were compelled to agree to participate because of the Assistant Principal’s authority, or felt coerced into doing so. The parents believe the kid’s lack of desire to participate in their chosen capacity is why it was brought to their attention. The alarm sounded by the kids has caused parents to question exactly how long the practice of only choosing black students to serve food has actually been going on in the 25 year history of the County’s celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday. Since its a Frederick County Public Schools event, its believed that other schools in the county would also have students participating, and parents are questioning whether Oakdale’s Assistant Principal has been selecting only black students from his school for past King Holiday events. Some also wonder if only black students were chosen because of a lack of desire to participate by students of other ethnic backgrounds. Either way, the parents believe its problematic for the county.

One question posed to the parents was whether they believed the incident had impacted the kids in a negative way. A parent stated, “if you look at the racial dynamic of the school, it makes you wonder what criteria did these kids meet, other than the color of their skin, to cause them to be chosen in this capacity for the King holiday event? Absolutely, they have been negatively impacted by this,” the parent said. The parents say it now places more scrutiny on the school’s administration when their children are hand picked for service in school events. They make it clear that they’re not going to pretend like the town of Frederick doesn’t have its share of racial strife, just like everywhere else in the country. They say these kind of incidents breed mistrust, suspicion, and fear their kids are vulnerable to a system that still manifest residuals of racial prejudice.

Frederick historically has been linked to a vibrant culture of race hate, primarily because it serves host to a small but prevalent faction of the Ku Klux Klan hate group. Once a very large group in Frederick, and the Carroll County Maryland region in general, the Klan has seemingly been run off, and reduced to “Big bad loud mouth cowards” as one local activist claims. While an influx of families who prefer diversity have transcended the community into the now dominate social order throughout the county, the Klan has been continuing their recruitment campaign efforts in the county by soliciting members through fliers and other advertisements being placarded on cars, mail boxes, and homes of town residents. The recruitment attempts were so pervasive back in 2013, that it caused the Frederick Police Department to contact the Klan Organizers directly regarding the flier distribution. Frederick authorities said that it wanted to make it perfectly clear to Klan recruiters that lifting the windshield of a vehicle constitutes tampering. Maryland law states that a person may not willfully damage or tamper with any vehicle without the consent of the owner. Such proactive measures being taken by the town’s police department are seen as an indication that their is tremendous resistance to the Klan’s presence in their county, but is an continuous and ongoing battle some say.

One of the more noted instances of racism in Frederick was captured in a Youtube video back in 2014, which depicted white males at a bar scene drinking, on the floor attempting to “break dance”, and mocking lyrics of a rap song by Snoop Doggy Dog (Gin and Juice) that in an unedited version of the song, contains a profanity laced theme with the term “Nigga” being repeatedly utilized. The white males who appear to be using the song as their theme music as an anthem of dislike for blacks, also appear to be offering the song in a salute to a man name Willie (who many believe is in fact Willie Lynch). The male in the video with a beard is well known and long time Klan supporter and member Jeffrey Dobson.

On October 5th, 2013 – KKK members blanketed the downtown section of Frederick, Maryland with fliers depicting white hooded members, and another depicting a semi-automatic weapon stating, “No Jobs, No Money, No Future. It’s time for the second American Revolution! Democrats and Republicans Beware of the Loyal White Knights of the KKK. Frederick citizens say that after that recruitment effort incident by the faction of Klans, Dobson “went trolling on the internet to draw a reaction and attention to himself and his cause.” View the viral Youtube video below:

However, Frederick residents for the most part have responded to the Klan’s action by pushing back with documented planed rallies that denounce the bigotry and racism that the hate group is attempting to bring into their community, and continue to promote pride in their town’s diversity. As recent as just a few months ago, residents and churches held a candlelight walk and special sermons as counterbalances to a Ku Klux Klan demonstration in the Braddock Heights section of the county back in just October of 2015. The walk was organized to demonstrate opposition to the Klan and show solidarity with groups who are historically targeted by the Klan. The Traditional Rebel Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were holding a “private rally triple cross and swastika lighting” for an event “in honor of Columbus Day.” “This is a tiny Klan group full of big, bad talk, but they have not been able to produce more than 10 people in their existence” since 2014, an article in The Frederick News-Post reported last year.

The parents of an Oakdale High student stated that while recent strife with hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan in Frederick are not directly related to the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday incident, they “believe that certain cultural beliefs and racial intolerance of some people in and around Frederick, may be the catalyst which sparked the kind of thinking which led to black students having been singled out in such a capacity.” The parents say they will be closely monitoring the situation at Oakdale High, but for now choose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation against their children from potentially racist members of the school system. “We just don’t know who’s who,” they say.

To Be Continued …

References:

The Frederick News-Post

Carroll County Times

The People’s Champion

I’m Crime Blogger David Adams

David Adams

David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society. With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of: - Homeless individuals - Victims of violent crime and their families - Wrongfully convicted individuals - Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.

More Posts - Website

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From its “shab row” European style brick cottages to its cobblestone pathways, its perhaps the ideal community that resembles the “old country” kind of living which attract rural family culture. Its scenic landscapes provide thrill seekers with adventure, and cutting edge cuisine is served up in Civil War-era buildings alongside unique specialty shops, galleries, museums, and theaters. The town’s motto “Where Hip meets History” is an alluring calling cry that solicits tourist to one of the state’s many historical communities embodied with modern flare and culturally rich southern hospitality, but perhaps the Northern Maryland town of Frederick is still lagging far behind in other areas of modern society, like class, race, and social consciousness. Some say while the proud community promotes its self for cultural diversity, a subtle and covert culture of racism persist.

Black families living in Frederick say that actions by an Oakdale High School Assistant Principal, surrounding the county’s annual Rev. Martin Luther King Celebration is indicative of the kind of subliminal forms of racism that still potentially exist within the Frederick community. Recently, a group of all black students were summoned to the school’s main office, where Assistant Principal William Caufield met with the kids, gave them a flyer announcing the county’s annual King Celebration, and had the students sign a participation list indicating that they have agreed to participate in the program as “Servers.” The parents concerns weren’t very explicit initially, because of the significance of the celebration, and the national pride usually associated with the holiday within the black community.

However, once the parents explained their objection toward only black students having been selected for the role of “Servers” for the function, juxtapose to the ethnic demographics of the school’s student body population, a crystal clear perspective can be easily discerned, and establishes why developing concern and suspicion pertaining the criteria for selecting these particular kids for the purpose of serving food at the event. Oakdale High of Frederick in Northern Maryland has a total of 1205 students that are enrolled this school year, and the ethnic breakdown is:

White Students      =1002
Hispanic Students =64
Black Students        =55
Asian Students        =32
Mixed Students       =45

Parents argue that its extremely troubling that while black kids only make up just about 6% of the entire student body, only black kids having been selected as participants to serve food at the event, is not just problematic, but they say it more than likely was done so deliberately. They cite the demeaning roles that ancestors of blacks in America (who were slaves) were subjected to during slavery, the Jim Crow era, and other social settings that reduced people of color to servant like capacities. The parents believe that while there clearly isn’t a coincidence for the selection of a black only student “wait staff,” no rationalization could ever explain the choice of just black kids being hand picked for such a role considering their small number within the student population. They believe that common sense alone should have kicked in, allowing the school official to avoid the mere appearance or implication of prejudice by choosing the participants from a more diverse aspect of the student body, especially considering the sensitive nature  of the event for which these kids would be participating.   

Additionally, they also believe that not all of the kids actually wanted to participate in the program, but rather were compelled to agree to participate because of the Assistant Principal’s authority, or felt coerced into doing so. The parents believe the kid’s lack of desire to participate in their chosen capacity is why it was brought to their attention. The alarm sounded by the kids has caused parents to question exactly how long the practice of only choosing black students to serve food has actually been going on in the 25 year history of the County’s celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday. Since its a Frederick County Public Schools event, its believed that other schools in the county would also have students participating, and parents are questioning whether Oakdale’s Assistant Principal has been selecting only black students from his school for past King Holiday events. Some also wonder if only black students were chosen because of a lack of desire to participate by students of other ethnic backgrounds. Either way, the parents believe its problematic for the county.

One question posed to the parents was whether they believed the incident had impacted the kids in a negative way. A parent stated, “if you look at the racial dynamic of the school, it makes you wonder what criteria did these kids meet, other than the color of their skin, to cause them to be chosen in this capacity for the King holiday event? Absolutely, they have been negatively impacted by this,” the parent said. The parents say it now places more scrutiny on the school’s administration when their children are hand picked for service in school events. They make it clear that they’re not going to pretend like the town of Frederick doesn’t have its share of racial strife, just like everywhere else in the country. They say these kind of incidents breed mistrust, suspicion, and fear their kids are vulnerable to a system that still manifest residuals of racial prejudice.

Frederick historically has been linked to a vibrant culture of race hate, primarily because it serves host to a small but prevalent faction of the Ku Klux Klan hate group. Once a very large group in Frederick, and the Carroll County Maryland region in general, the Klan has seemingly been run off, and reduced to “Big bad loud mouth cowards” as one local activist claims. While an influx of families who prefer diversity have transcended the community into the now dominate social order throughout the county, the Klan has been continuing their recruitment campaign efforts in the county by soliciting members through fliers and other advertisements being placarded on cars, mail boxes, and homes of town residents. The recruitment attempts were so pervasive back in 2013, that it caused the Frederick Police Department to contact the Klan Organizers directly regarding the flier distribution. Frederick authorities said that it wanted to make it perfectly clear to Klan recruiters that lifting the windshield of a vehicle constitutes tampering. Maryland law states that a person may not willfully damage or tamper with any vehicle without the consent of the owner. Such proactive measures being taken by the town’s police department are seen as an indication that their is tremendous resistance to the Klan’s presence in their county, but is an continuous and ongoing battle some say.

One of the more noted instances of racism in Frederick was captured in a Youtube video back in 2014, which depicted white males at a bar scene drinking, on the floor attempting to “break dance”, and mocking lyrics of a rap song by Snoop Doggy Dog (Gin and Juice) that in an unedited version of the song, contains a profanity laced theme with the term “Nigga” being repeatedly utilized. The white males who appear to be using the song as their theme music as an anthem of dislike for blacks, also appear to be offering the song in a salute to a man name Willie (who many believe is in fact Willie Lynch). The male in the video with a beard is well known and long time Klan supporter and member Jeffrey Dobson.

On October 5th, 2013 – KKK members blanketed the downtown section of Frederick, Maryland with fliers depicting white hooded members, and another depicting a semi-automatic weapon stating, “No Jobs, No Money, No Future. It’s time for the second American Revolution! Democrats and Republicans Beware of the Loyal White Knights of the KKK. Frederick citizens say that after that recruitment effort incident by the faction of Klans, Dobson “went trolling on the internet to draw a reaction and attention to himself and his cause.” View the viral Youtube video below:

However, Frederick residents for the most part have responded to the Klan’s action by pushing back with documented planed rallies that denounce the bigotry and racism that the hate group is attempting to bring into their community, and continue to promote pride in their town’s diversity. As recent as just a few months ago, residents and churches held a candlelight walk and special sermons as counterbalances to a Ku Klux Klan demonstration in the Braddock Heights section of the county back in just October of 2015. The walk was organized to demonstrate opposition to the Klan and show solidarity with groups who are historically targeted by the Klan. The Traditional Rebel Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were holding a “private rally triple cross and swastika lighting” for an event “in honor of Columbus Day.” “This is a tiny Klan group full of big, bad talk, but they have not been able to produce more than 10 people in their existence” since 2014, an article in The Frederick News-Post reported last year.

The parents of an Oakdale High student stated that while recent strife with hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan in Frederick are not directly related to the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday incident, they “believe that certain cultural beliefs and racial intolerance of some people in and around Frederick, may be the catalyst which sparked the kind of thinking which led to black students having been singled out in such a capacity.” The parents say they will be closely monitoring the situation at Oakdale High, but for now choose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation against their children from potentially racist members of the school system. “We just don’t know who’s who,” they say.

To Be Continued …

References:

The Frederick News-Post

Carroll County Times

 

The People’s Champion

I’m Crime Blogger David Adams

 

 

 

 

David Adams

David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society. With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of: - Homeless individuals - Victims of violent crime and their families - Wrongfully convicted individuals - Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

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