Kettle Moraine Student's Uncle Speaks Out On Racist Message

WALES, WI—"Black lives don't matter one bit you stupid (expletive) (racial slur)," a Snapchat message apparently directed to a Black Kettle Moraine High School student said last week.

Joshua Johnson, the student's uncle, is speaking out about the incident involving his niece after she received the above message.

The uncle claims a student used another person's phone to send the message. Johnson said the owner of the phone went to school officials and tried "to take the wrap for his friend." Johnson believes the student who sent the message is being protected due to "possibly losing scholarships." Patch reached out to school district officials but didn't receive a response as of Wednesday evening.

"People started putting pressure on the district then it turned into a life of its own at that point," Johnson told Patch.

Two students from Kettle Moraine High School are facing disorderly conduct charges after sharing the image that local authorities described as "racially insensitive," according to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office. The matter is still being reviewed by the Waukesha District Attorney.

The Kettle Moraine School District previously sent out a statement on Sept. 8 regarding the Snapchat message.

Johnson said this isn't an isolated incident at the high school. He and the victim's mother met with the school after "a student wrote a racial slur on a whiteboard and pointed at his niece," Johnson said.

"We were reassured by the superintendent that she would do whatever it takes to make sure this didn't happen again, and she failed miserably," he said.

Johnson said the way it was presented to him and the victim's mother was the student wrote it because he "heard it in a rap lyric."

Johnson said the people who are behind these types of incidents do them "because they are racist and think it is funny." The other reason, according to Johnson, is because they think they can "say it and nothing will happen to them."

Patch also reached out to the Kettle Moraine School District to confirm the whiteboard incident. As of Wednesday evening, we have not heard back from school officials.

High school back then and now

The victim is not the only person of color at Kettle Moraine High School. While he can't speak for other's experiences, Johnson knows his niece has experienced racist incidents since 7th grade.

"She has gotten to the point where it just doesn't bother her anymore," he said.

The devastating part for Johnson is his niece thinks it is just "the way things are." The niece doesn't want her family to get involved out of fear of being labeled "a snitch," he said.

Johnson remembered high school being brutal when he was younger. He recalled a similar feeling of trying to get through it without rocking the boat. However, long before social media, a student could just avoid the person or choose to confront them.

"When it comes to race or hate speech, then it becomes a whole new ball game. That is something you shouldn't have to deal with," Johnson told Patch.

He fears fellow students who want to stand up against the incident may be scared about what could happen to them.

One student is providing a way to bring change with an online petition, which has over 1,800 signatures. According to the Change.org petition:

"The school claims that they have handled the situation but is trying to protect the student that sent this message because he has scholarships.

Kettle Moraine School District, do better. You claim to have handled the situation but refuse to disclose what you have done. You claim to have handled the situation but refuse to suspend a student because he has scholarships he can't lose.

By not suspending or expelling this student, you show to everyone in this district that you value this student's scholarships over the racial injustice that has happened in your schools over and over again.

KM Students, parents, and staff, I beg you to help make a change in our school district. Everyone should feel welcome in our schools. Please sign this petition and tell the Kettle Moraine School District that we do not stand for this behavior. Change starts from within".

Johnson is happy a student who had enough is standing her ground.

"It rings very loud that the young lady is not a student of color and I think it has caught the attention of a lot of people," Johnson said.