Florida high school adjusts policy amid racism controversy
VIDEO - Eight African-American students, known as the "Park Vista 8", believe the school's decision not to allow them on the cheerleading squad may have been racially motivated...
When Park Vista High School sophomore Maya Jean-Charles didn’t make the cheerleading squad she wasn’t just disappointed, she was offended. As one of eight African-American girls who also didn’t make the team, she felt that the decision may have been racially motivated.
“Why aren’t you at cheerleading practice? Oh wait, you’re black”, said Jean-Charles to the Palm Beach Post repeating the taunts she heard.
Many of the students who didn’t make the team, now known locally as the “Park Vista 8”, also allege racial harassment from their peers.
WATCH VIDEO OF THE STORY FROM WPTV NEWSCHANNEL 5
Principal Reggie Myers and the athletic director reviewed the concerns and have decided to hold another cheerleading tryout in August. In addition, four new spots will be opened after the tryouts. Only the “Park Vista 8” and the other sixteen students who did not make the squad will be allowed to try out.
Despite the compromise, NBC’s WPTV NewsChannel 5 reports that none of the eight girls appeared happy about the decision and declined to comment.
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