Racial insensitivity is “pervasive in American society,” but denying it when racism raises its ugly head takes “incredible ignorance,” an Indianapolis pastor said recently in response to a recent controversial event involving a high school basketball game.
“To say it doesn’t exist is just crazy,” said Rev. David Hampton, senior pastor at Light of the World Christian Church. “We spend more time trying to deny that than in accepting it and then dealing with it in a positive way.”
Hampton’s comments came in the wake of a racially charged event that occurred recently at a local high school.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association was investigating complaints of racially targeted behavior before and during the girls Class 4A semi-final championship game between Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and Bedford North Lawrence in Bedford, 24 miles south of Bloomington.
Marlon Stewart, an Indianapolis parent attending the March 1 game, described it as a “highly charged environment.”
Lawrence North senior Eric Gentry, who was attending his first girls basketball game, said some Bedford students wore gorilla outfits during the game.
In addition, two students in gorilla costumes stood near the LN basket as the girls practiced before the game, witnesses said.
Following complaints by Lawrence North officials, Bedford officials asked the students to take off the gorilla costumes, but they denied that the outfits were “racially motivated.”
Bedford officials could not be reached for further comment earlier this week.
Lawrence North is predominately Black, while Bedford North Lawrence is predominately white. Bedford went on to win that semi-final game, 62-54, and last week won the girls Indiana Class 4A title over Penn Kingsmen.
“We don’t have a timetable on when the investigation will be completed,” said IHSAA assistant commissioner Chris Kaufman. He said the association conducts numerous investigations all the time, but noted that no similar behavior has been reported recently. “Thank goodness for that.”
Such incidents often light up the biosphere. Racist tweets and angry responses have been flying back and forth between students at the schools since the game was played.
While this incident was isolated, racial insensitivity is pervasive, and not just in heated athletic events, Hampton said.
Park Tudor School last month apologized for its “misguided” attempt at honoring Black History Month by adding fried chicken and collard greens to its menu as part of its history celebration.
Hampton said the gesture was “well-intentioned” yet still insensitive to its students.
