The mother of a female basketball player from Hendersonville, Tenn is suing the Sumner County Schools after allegations of racism toward her daughter. Wanda Rice claims her daughter Shannon Rice was verbally abused, shoved and insulted because she was Black and the school did nothing about it.
Via Atlanta Black Star:
The lawsuit says even coaches who heard the taunting laughed along with the students at times.
Rice says she sent a complaint letter to the director of Sumner County schools in February, and a response indicated an investigation would be started, but Rice says that was last she’s heard of it.
“As a parent it’s very shocking, as my daughter is recounting a story of where she had to endure her teammates — who are supposed to be a family,” Rice said. “They say ‘we’re like a family,’ well, family doesn’t do that to you.”
Shannon Rice left Hendersonville High and is now being homeschooled.
This is the second incident involving discrimination with the Hendersonville High School girls’ basketball team. The school claims they conducted a thorough investigation and that the parties involved denied the allegations against them. The school system has yet to comment on Rice’s lawsuit.