In recent years, incidents of racial harassment in U.S. schools have escalated, with numerous reports highlighting a troubling environment for Black students. A series of investigations by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) revealed that several school districts failed to adequately address racial hostility. This lack of accountability has become even more pronounced under the administration of President Donald Trump, with a significant reduction in the resolution of racial harassment cases.
In Colorado, Black students faced taunts from their peers who played whipping sounds on their cellphones, along with disturbing comments suggesting they should be harmed “to make us a better race.” In another instance, two Black students in a small district in Ohio were subjected to racial slurs, including the N-word, from the moment they arrived at school. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of racial harassment that has been documented in various states, including Illinois, where students incorporated Confederate flags into class presentations and attempted to intimidate Black classmates.
The OCR’s investigations into these complaints revealed that school districts often did not take sufficient action to protect their students. The department initiated a series of agreements that mandated changes in these districts and established monitoring mechanisms. Over the past three years, approximately 50 racial harassment cases were resolved, indicating an active effort to address these pressing issues.
However, under the current administration, this commitment to tackling racial harassment appears to have diminished. A recent analysis by ProPublica found that since President Trump assumed office, the OCR has not entered into any new resolution agreements regarding racial harassment. This shift raises concerns about the message being sent to students and families affected by racial discrimination.
According to Paige Duggins-Clay, an attorney with a Texas nonprofit that assists families with racial harassment complaints, the failure to act sends a clear signal that the experiences of those impacted by racial discrimination are being overlooked. The Education Department had been investigating multiple complaints within the Lubbock-Cooper school district related to racial discrimination. Yet, Duggins-Clay noted that there has been no communication regarding these investigations this year.
During Trump’s first term, the OCR still resolved numerous racial harassment cases. However, as his second term began, the agency shifted its focus towards allegations of discrimination against white students while dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across educational institutions. This has contributed to a decline in protections for marginalized groups, including transgender students.
According to internal data obtained by ProPublica, over 1,000 racial harassment investigations initiated under previous administrations remain unresolved. The Education Department has opened only 14 new investigations into allegations of racial harassment against Black students since January 20, despite receiving more than 500 complaints in the same period.
The OCR has not responded to requests for comment from ProPublica, and there has been a noticeable lack of updates on case information that would typically be available to the public. The agency has also ceased monitoring several districts previously found to have violated students’ civil rights, leaving many cases unresolved.
One notable investigation closed recently involved the Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary District in Arizona. The OCR found that the school had made “minimal and ineffective” attempts to address racial and sexual harassment. A seventh grader reported being physically assaulted and ridiculed for her skin color, yet the school’s response was limited to documenting the incidents and administering minor consequences to the perpetrator.
The Education Department’s actions—or lack thereof—have left many families feeling abandoned. In North Carolina, for instance, a resolution agreement reached at the end of the Biden administration is now being questioned by the Carteret County Public Schools district. Following an OCR investigation into racial slurs aimed at two Black teenagers, the district has sought to nullify the agreement, claiming that the new political climate has rendered the previous understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion obsolete.
As incidents of racial harassment persist, community leaders and advocates are calling for renewed attention to these issues. Talbert W. Swan II, president of the Greater Springfield NAACP in Massachusetts, emphasized that the prevalence of such behavior among young students indicates that racist attitudes are being perpetuated across generations.
The OCR’s enforcement of civil rights laws has significantly slowed, leading to an accumulation of unresolved cases. As families and advocates continue to seek justice and accountability, the future of civil rights enforcement remains uncertain. The ongoing challenges faced by students experiencing racial harassment highlight the urgent need for educational institutions to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their background.