A Louisiana teacher is under fire after she was caught using a racial slur in a Facebook group.
In a discussion about a back-to-school event, Julie Colley used the N-word to describe a local neighborhood. Now, the local NAACP is calling for her job.
Colley, an in-school suspension teacher at Ossun Elementary School in Lafayette, used the racial slur while commenting on a post in a Facebook group called “Whatz Goin On in Acadiana?”
Acadiana is an area that comprises 22 parishes, reported Newsweek.
“Im [sic] not going at 6:30. Cameron St? That’s n*****ville after dark lol,” Colley said about a school event that was planned in a more urban part of Lafayette.
The comment was screenshotted and shared on social media. The original post was deleted by the group administrators.
The local NAACP called for Irma Duplechain Trosclair, Superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System, to relieve Colley of her position.
In a statement issued by the NAACP, the organization expressed concern that Colley teaches at a predominantly Black school that has an in-school suspension program and that a racist in that position could be doubly detrimental.
“We demand something finally be done to ensure schools are more racially diverse in students, staff and leadership. It is of grave concern that (the teacher) is the disciplinarian charged with monitoring and educating Black and Brown students who are assigned to In-School Suspension at Ossun Elementary School (an elementary school with majority Black students, but minority Black staff),” the statement read.
The Lafayette Parish School System also issued a rather non-committal statement saying that they are investigating, but the situation is a personnel matter.
“LPSS is aware of this situation and is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Because this is a personnel issue, no further information will be shared,” officials said.
It should be noted, however, that suspensions and disciplinary actions are a matter of public record. Colley’s teaching certifications are as well.
Although Louisiana is not known for racial justice, educators like Julie Colley being kept in the classroom can only add to the peril of Black children.
Colley has issued no statement at this time.
