Worcester schools launch antiracism campaign after student athletes targeted during away games

Worcester Public Schools launched a multiyear campaign to combat racism after social media posts targeting the district’s high school student-athletes at an away game received offensive and racist comments. 

Announced Tuesday at a rally at Doherty Memorial High School, the “Stand Against Racism Campaign” consists of public awareness initiatives, programming for students, and a pre-game pledge to be recited by students and adults, said Dan O’Brien, Worcester Public Schools chief communications officer. 

“We wanted to make sure everybody knows that racism has no home in the Worcester Public Schools or in the city of Worcester,” O’Brien told Boston.com. “And we’ll do all that we can to support our students.” 

The campaign was created in response to reports of racist encounters experienced by student-athletes at away games, particularly one instance that gained widespread attention online. 

In early March, school leaders addressed “offensive comments” online relating to posts about a girls’ high school basketball game that “depicted student-athletes in an utterly unacceptable manner.” 

The original posts have since been deleted, though they previously had hundreds of likes and comments. 

Boston.com reported at the time that footage showed a South High player falling after an Andover High School player shoots a basket. Another South High player then appears to push an Andover player into her teammates.

“Typically naturally violent animals. Dear god bring back segregation,” one comment said. 

The “Stand Against Racism Campaign” will feature programming in high schools focused on the harm of racism, student advisory groups, and messages on banners and school TVs. Specific programming plans are still “in development,” O’Brien said. 

“Racism thrives when good people stay quiet,” Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools Brian Allen said in a press release. “As a school district, it’s our responsibility to call out hate, educate ourselves and others, hold people accountable, and lift up our students with everything we have.”

The initiative drew support from prominent officials, including Congressman James McGovern and Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

“Every child should be able to go to school and participate in extracurricular activities without having to endure hateful behavior,” Campbell said in a press release. “I am proud to help launch the Stand Against Racism Campaign to uplift students to stand up against hate and discrimination in all its forms.”