Why didn't the reporter include the fact that the Gunn students all said that they were subjected to the frequent FREQUENT use of the N-word, that adults were aware of this, and that no one is stopping it or helping them? Didn't that seem like something to report? That is a hostile educational environment.

My daughter is biracial and she also complained about her and her other nonwhite friends being "coded" at Jordan for wearing shorts that were too short, when the white kids weren't. They were sent to the office and made to change into pairs of loner shorts. Her grade counselor denied the racist accusations and chewed me out on the phone for my relaying what I'd heard from my daughter and her friends. Then she called my daughter into her office and scolded her as well. After reading about the same thing in this article, it confirms for me that there's come truth to it! Wow!

When my daughter and I talk about her experience of being biracial, she says it's not so much about her personal identity, but rather about how other people perceive and treat her based on her physical appearance. She's often asked what her ethnic background is, and her classmates have been shocked when they see how different she and I look.

It is sad, indeed, that some black students view being smart as a "white trait." Some type of cultural shift needs to occur in order for this view to be erased from the minds of these kids.

I congratulate these seven students for having the courage to speak up on endemic issues festering in the PAUSD. Some may wish they don't talk about. How many of us are aware that black students in the school district get harassed by white students calling them n.ggers. Gunn freshman, Alexander Hudson, brought me back to reality. I have deluded myself thinking that parents of the district teach their children about tolerance and self respect. I was wrong. To quote a school board member, Palo Alto can do better.

Interesting that a question about sending their kids to the PAUSD in the future was asked, but not if these students would like to leave the PAUSD today.

If you provide minority students a better alternative (quality education) in an environment where they feel respected and welcome, most would seize that opportunity. I, for one, would have done that for my child. No child should feel alienated while getting an education that their parents have paid for.

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Perhaps someone on some committee in the PAUSD should look at a school that has had continued success serving minority students: Eastside Prep, a short distance on the other side of Highway 101 in East Palo Alto.

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This report assures me that things have not change. Our students of color continue to experience discrimination from both staff and other students. How sad, I am wonder what McGee is going to do with this information. Perhaps is just an article to call it a tie and nothing else.

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