Board delays response on alleged remarks; Diversity, sensitivity training urged
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
By JULIE DRAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer
PALMDALE – Members of the Antelope Valley Human Relations Commission will have to wait at least one more month to hear an official response from Eastside Union School District trustees regarding alleged sexist and racist remarks from one board member to another.
In April, an unidentified Eastside trustee complained to the task force that a fellow trustee referred to female trustees as “girls” who follow his directions and also said African Americans are only good at sports, according to a task force official.
After an investigation, task force President Darren Parker said the group would recommend Eastside trustees undergo diversity and sensitivity training. He also asked that trustees attend Monday’s meeting to report what measures the board took to address the complaints.
Eastside President J. Altin Ginn was expected at Monday’s meeting, but he was in Sacramento on a lobbying trip, Parker said.
“Unfortunately, most of the members of the board could not be with us tonight,” he said. “They made every effort to try to get down here, at least most of the members that were absent.”
LEADER LISTENS – Anthony Topete, commander of the Antelope Valley chapter of the Brown Berets, on Monday attends a meeting of the Antelope Valley Human Relations Commission, representing the Latino civil rights and student organization. KELLY LACEFIELD/Valley Press