New York parents demand rival district schools be left off sports schedules due to alleged race issues: report

A Call to End Rivalry: Parents Demand Change Amid Alleged Racial Issues

Parents from Elmont High School on Long Island, New York, are calling for an end to athletic competitions against their rival school district, Bellmore-Merrick, citing a long history of alleged racist behavior. The Elmont High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and the Dad’s Club recently hosted a town hall meeting with officials from Nassau County’s Section VIII athletics division to address these concerns. Representatives from both the Sewanhaka Central High School District, which oversees Elmont, and the Bellmore-Merrick district were also in attendance. Parents and advocates argue that the recurring racial incidents have created a hostile environment for Elmont’s students, particularly its Black athletes. They are now demanding that all future games against schools in the Bellmore-Merrick district, including middle schools, be canceled.

The Tipping Point: A Basketball Game and Its Aftermath

The most recent incident that sparked widespread outrage occurred during a February 7 girls’ varsity basketball game between Elmont and Kennedy High School, part of the Bellmore-Merrick district. During the game, an altercation broke out between players from both teams. The Elmont player, who is Black, was ejected for swinging at the Kennedy player, who is White. However, video footage later revealed that the Kennedy player had initiated the altercation by hitting the Elmont player first. Despite this evidence, Section VIII initially upheld the suspension of the Elmont player. It wasn’t until a second appeal that she was reinstated and allowed to play in a playoff game. The incident has become a symbol of what Elmont parents describe as a pattern of unfair treatment and racial bias.

A History of Racial Tensions: Incidents Spanning Years

Elmont parents and advocates have pointed to a long history of racial incidents involving Bellmore-Merrick schools. In 2023, during a junior varsity volleyball game between Elmont and Kennedy, fans allegedly taunted Elmont players with racial slurs, calling them "monkeys" and waving bananas. Similar incidents occurred in December 2021, when fans from Bellmore-Merrick’s Mepham High School were accused of calling Elmont players "monkeys" during a junior varsity basketball game. In that case, the Bellmore-Merrick superintendent and athletic director apologized in person to Elmont officials. However, Lynette Battle, a Sewanhaka board trustee and former PTSA president, argues that these incidents are not isolated and reflect a deeper, ongoing problem.

"The Definition of Insanity": Parents Urge Action

Lynette Battle described the situation as "the definition of insanity," emphasizing that the same issues keep recurring without meaningful resolution. She called for bold action, stating, "Something different has to be done. And someone needs to be courageous enough to stand on business." Battle also highlighted incidents from 2019, when Elmont cheerleaders allegedly directed racial slurs at Bellmore-Merrick spectators, with one cheerleader even wearing an afro-wig to mock Black players. She criticized the lack of accountability and the failure to address these issues comprehensively. While Section VIII and the districts have organized workshops for students and instituted pre-game civility statements, Battle contends that these measures fall short of addressing the root problem.

Frustration and Fears: Parents Question Leadership

The ongoing racial tensions have left Elmont parents feeling frustrated and betrayed. Jon Johnson, a member of the Dad’s Club, shared his own son’s experiences with racism while playing lacrosse against Wellington C. Mepham High School, another school in the Bellmore-Merrick district. Johnson recounted how his son, who is Black, was called the n-word by an opposing player during a game. He expressed disbelief that such incidents continue to happen, despite past apologies and promises of change. "We have trusted our district to help look over our kids," Johnson said, "but I don’t think that they have, because they keep doing things to put a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound."

Moving Forward: A Call for Courage and Accountability

As tensions remain high, Elmont parents are urging school officials to take decisive action to protect their children. They argue that the current measures, such as pre-game civility statements and workshops, are insufficient and fail to hold individuals accountable for their actions. Battle and other advocates believe that severing ties with the Bellmore-Merrick district is the only way to ensure Elmont’s students can compete in a safe and respectful environment. While Section VIII officials, including Director Patrick Pizzarelli, have defended their response to these incidents, parents remain unconvinced. For them, the fight for equality and respect is far from over, and they are determined to push for meaningful change.