Supervisors Issue Statement Regarding Rufus King High School Track Team Incident at Waterford High School
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Board Second Vice Chairwoman and 13th District Supervisor Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, along with Supervisors Shawn Rolland, Justin Bielinski, Felesia A. Martin, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Kathleen Vincent, Jack Eckblad, Juan Miguel Martinez and Steven Shea issued the following statement regarding the May 7 track meet at Waterford High School, during which Rufus King athletes and families were subjected to sustained racist taunts, forcing the team to withdraw early for their own safety:
“We urge the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to declare the Waterford Invite an official rain-out, just as we would when weather threatens our athletes, because on May 7, Rufus King students were ‘showered’ not with rain but with sustained racist taunts, and Waterford Union High School failed to ensure their safety.
“We commend these young men and women for their unwavering commitment to non-violence and for demonstrating true sportsmanship under duress. We also applaud the coaches and Athletic Director at Rufus King for standing resolutely with their athletes and for prioritizing their dignity and welfare.
“There’s a lot going on in the world right now, but one place that should always be exempt from that chaos is wherever our children are.
“Waterford had the opportunity to protect our kids—and they failed.
“We don’t care what’s happening in the world outside; we cannot allow racism and hate to become the new normal. Not in our schools, not at our sporting events, and not anywhere our children are supposed to feel safe.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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Shocking, yet unsurprising, given the tone being set by the “leaders” in government at the federal level. The old saying holds true in this case…s**t rolls downhill. The racist s**t we all see and hear coming from Frump & Friends is appalling, and while some of it may be subtle, most of it is not. Kids are exposed to this so much more easily with their access to social media, and as such they presume this is acceptable behavior. Obviously, it is not.
The WIAA should automatically award Rufus King as the winner of the track meet, and suspend Waterford High School from participation in future meets for the remainder of the track season. The consequences should be swift and harsh.
Well said, T.Gramps. I’m in total agreement.