Photo: Dan Brood/Sports Illustrated
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) is looking into allegations that athletes from a primarily Black high school in Southeast Portland have been repeatedly subjected to racial slurs.
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According to local news station KGW8, David Douglas High School assistant football coach Marcell Frazier said that other victims of the remarks include staff and fans as well.
Frazier told the outlet the very first incident happened after the first game of the season when someone made primate sounds at the group. A week later, a junior varsity player shared that he was called the N-word during a game at Rex Putnam High School.
However, Frazier said it was later in the season during a game at Adrienne C. Nelson High School in Happy Valley that things got even worse.
“We get to Nelson and all hell breaks loose,” Frazier explained. “We’re playing in the game, multiple kids, two kids specifically come off the field crying. What’s going on? ‘Coach, they’re saying King Kong.’” The students also said they were called a racial slur.
Greg Harris, the principal of Adrienne C. Nelson High School, ultimately commented on the reported incident in a letter that was sent to staff and students.
“The behaviors that have been reported are not only unacceptable, but also stand in stark contract to the values we hold as a school and district,” Harris wrote.
Frazier has since taken to social media to express his frustrations: “Our boys and coaches should be focused on the game without being subjected to racist abuse,” he wrote.
In a statement to KPTV, Oregon School Activities Association confirmed that they have since launched an investigation into the deeply upsetting behavior.
“These types of behaviors are unacceptable and simply have no place in high school sports; they will not be tolerated,” the organization said in a statement. “The OSAA remains committed to working alongside member schools in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all at interscholastic events.”
