Sussex Tech fighting intolerance with anti-racism workshop

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Sussex Tech is now taking action to prevent bigotry within the school system.

The action comes after a racist and homophobic tweet circulated throughout the student body back in May.

Superintendent Stephen Guthrie said, “Overt racist actions will not be tolerated.”

To prove they won’t allow racism to fester or tolerate tweets like the one that sent a shockwave through the community, Sussex Tech welcomed Courageous Conversations.

The workshop educated their school system about “racial equity”.

On Tuesday, the group held a workshop that gave parents and officials a chance to ask questions and voice their concerns.

Charlotte King with the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice said, “We tend, like many places in our society, to respond slowly. Maybe that’s because we don’t think the issue is very significant. Obviously the school did not think it was as important as it was.”

47 ABC sat down with Guthrie to get answers as to why action wasn’t taken sooner.

He says after changes to the board as well as just joining the district as the new superintendent, scheduling of the workshop took a little longer than intended.

Moving forward, Guthrie tell us the new conversations inspired by the workshop will give parents a piece of mind.

Guthrie said, “I can offer an utmost guarantee that students here will be treated equitably. Parents should feel comfortable sending their child to our school.”