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High School Plans, Principal Criticized

High School Plans, Principal Criticized image
Parent Issue
Day
1
Month
June
Year
1968
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
OCR Text

Plans for "partial martial law" at Ann Arbor High School Monday and statements attributed to AAHS Principal Nicholas Schreiber when those plans were announced were strongly j cized today by the Human Relations Commission and localj civil rights groups. The Human Relations Commission called plans to invoke "partial martial law" at the school "an inappropriate measure at this time." The HRC, in a statement drafted at a special meeting t h i s morning, said it was "gravely concerned because of statements attributed to Mr. Nicholas Schreiber, principal of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School" as quoted in The News yesterday. HRC representatives met with high school officials, Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. and Pólice Chief Walter Krasny late this morning- apparently to express the concerns r a i s e d in their statement. Referring to plans for "partial martial law" at the high school, the HRC said: "The fact that only a small number of white and black stu,d e n t s were involved in the Wednesday incidents should not prompt this type of action. The presence of uniformed policemen in this school environment would tend only to heighten tensions. I "If additional surveillance is jneeded, we would strongly recommend that both parents and responsible citizens, black and white, who know the students and have their respect and trust, including members of the HRC. be permitted to observe for the balance of the semester. The HRC stands willing to form such a group. "Another most disturbing part of Mr. Schreiber's release was the statement that Negroes 'trigigered' the disturbances which brought a b o u t the closing of school on Wednesday. "Dr. Westerman stated at the school board meeting of Wednesday . . . that a complete investigation would take place. If this investigation has been completed and has not revealed that white students were also reIsponsible for these disturbances, ïhe investigation was incomplete. Our entire community must learn that racist statements, provocations and related types of agitation are violent and destructive. These types of acts are much more common in this community than physical acts of violence and destruction. Yet, they are accepted and even endorsed by many in this community. Neither can be tolerated. Those who are guilty of uttering and provoking are as guilty as those who retalíate. This observation was missing from Schreiber's statement." The reaction of school officials to some aspects of the statement was not immediately known, but Dr. Albert H. Wheeler, head of the Michigan Conference of the National Assoication for the Advancement of Colored People, called the proposed use of parents at the school Monday "a worthwhile suggestion:" Wheeler was also critical of Schreiber's statements. "On Friday evening the NAACP received a number of calis' from irate and distressed Negro parents and citizens who were upset by several aspects of Mr. Schreiber's statements. "This statement was called t y p i c a 1 of the reactions of Schreiber which allowed the racial situation in the high school to deteriórate and which led to the 21 demands of the black students. Dr. Westerman had already made it abundantly clear that law and order would prevail in the schools. "The inflamatory phraseology of martial law added by Schreiber was absolutely unnecessary. In light of the strong implication that the black students were the only trouble makers, many Negroes viewed this pólice move as being directed solely at them. The report of the Wednesday school incident and Schreiber's statement made no specific reference to the possible guilt of some white students. "In official public reports no reference was made to the alleged use of derogatory racial terms which provoked the unfortunate fights on Wednesday. Neither was it reported that the young man who got a bloody nose had no business in the classroom where the incident occurred. Nor was it reported Friday that white students had informed the administration that some groups of white students were organizing for violence. "For many r e a s o n s the: NAACP and the majority oL black students regret the school incident on Wednesday and other problems which subsequntly followed at other schools. "We believe that all involved youngsters must be disciplined - both black and white students. , [t may be difficult for the ma-j ority to understand that it is Dsychological violence for young' NTegroes to be called 'dirty niggers,' and under the confusión which existed at the school that such terms could be provocative. "Schreiber might indeed ask himself who initiated the trouble which occurred last Wednesday. "THE NAACP is calling a meeting on Sunday evening at 7:30 in the recreation room ofj St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. This will be a closed meeting Eor black high school students, their parents and a few invited persons." In another statement released today, the Civil Rights Coordinating Council steering committee said the situation at AAHS demands "a great deal more than an emotional response from all of us- whether we are black or white; faculty or student; administrator or parent. "The time has come for all persons to attempt to understand the deep concerns and frustrations underlying the present situation. These concerns go much deeper than the concern over a single questionnaire or one racial slur. "We urge the entire community to follow two simple rules: (1) Do not spread rumors. Check your facts carefully. (2) Do not make or repeat inflammatory statements. In this way, you, too, can help. "We believe Supt. Westerman has handled the situation well.j We believe Dr. Wheeler has helped avert further incidents. We believe many faculty and many students, black and white, are trying honestly to come to grips with the basic problem. We urge the community to show strong support for these people who are acting in a responsible manner." i The statement was signed ly Mrs. Eunice Burns, chairrnan of the council. ! The education committee of the Coalition for Racial Justice also expressed "concern about! the Ann Arbor High School principal's statement . . . "We doubt the wisdom of usiñg additional pólice in the high school when the presence of the one is deeply resented. "If the professional staff needs additional help, can't non-police personnel whom the students respect be used instead. How about working through parents and the students themselves, "We question that Negro youth alone 'triggered the disorder.' This allegation seems to us clearly inflammatory. We are pleased to see the announcement of private hearings for those accused before action is taken and that serious attention is still to be given the 21 demands. But we deplore the emphasis on law and order apart from justice." Westerman Says Classes Continuing School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. issued the following statement at noon today: We expect to conduct school as usual Monday and throughout the week. Pólice will be available in the school building in plain clothes will work in cooperation with the administration in a supportive role. Additional officers will be available in uniform for assignment as appropriate.