http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1198307427149680.xml
&coll=3

Mom angered by school's reaction to racial comment

Saturday, December 22, 2007
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

An American Indian Jersey City boy says he was racially taunted in geometry
class at Lincoln High School in front of a substitute teacher who ignored
the incident, and his mother is blaming the school.

"I felt like I was backed into a corner, like if I was to do anything about
it or say anything or get out of my desk, they would have beat up on me,"
said Richard Siewertsen, 16, of the Lafayette section, referring to the
Nov. 14 incident.

Siewertsen is a member of the Lac Vieux Desert Ojibwa tribe and both of his
parents are Indians, said his mother, Lisa Brunk.

Siewertsen said that in class he overheard students talking about his
facial hair and when he asked what they were talking about, one girl
replied, "Who the (blank) you talking to, Tonto," police report say.

He told police about four other girls began chanting "Woo! Woo! Woo!"
reports said. The 16-year-old said the substitute teacher did nothing.

"I was humiliated, angry," he said.

Jersey City Board of Education spokesman Gerard Crisonino said the school
district is very concerned about allegations of discrimination.

Lincoln Principal Michael Winds is investigating and has spoken to the
students involved individually and their parents, he said, adding that
other students tell a different story. Crisonino said the other students
said they were discussing all of their backgrounds and their physical
appearances.

The students said they "didn't at any time single him out as being Native
American, and they all deny using the name Tonto, and that they didn't even
know what that would be in reference to," Crisonino said, adding that the
teacher substantiated their version.

Told of that, Siewertsen stood by his story.

"I'm not surprised they told different stories because they were confronted
with an issue that was sensitive and no one wants to admit to being
prejudiced," said Siewertsen.

Crisonino said Brunk was invited three times to go to the school and
discuss what happened, but she did not. Brunk said she didn't go because
she felt she was being patronized.

"They are trying to minimize everything and I don't think this school has
been accountable for what is happening," Brunk said.