April 5th 2024.
Horry County Schools in South Carolina is facing a lawsuit as a Black high school student has come forward with allegations of racial discrimination. According to court documents, Crystal Dozier, the mother of the student, filed the lawsuit on Mar. 16 on behalf of her 17-year-old daughter. The student had previously attended Green Sea-Floyds High School and was a member of the tennis team.
The lawsuit claims that the student, referred to as NC, responded to a flier posted by the team's coach, Krysten Webster, inviting students to join the team. However, Webster, who is white, allegedly refused to respond to NC's interest at first and only allowed her to participate after Dozier intervened.
The suit also states that the discrimination began in July 2023 when an assistant coach, instructed by Webster who was out of town, allowed NC's all-white teammates to use her as "target practice" during tennis practice. This caused great distress and emotional harm to NC, as stated in the suit.
In August 2023, Dozier approached Webster to inquire about how her daughter could improve in the sport. However, the coach reportedly laughed in her face and walked away. This behavior allegedly continued when NC approached Webster to discuss her experience of discrimination based on her race. The coach reportedly berated the student and dismissed her concerns, telling her to come back another time to discuss the matter.
NC eventually had a meeting with the school's assistant principal, Mary Price, and another Indian student who had similar concerns. During this meeting, Webster allegedly became argumentative and berated NC once again. The student's mother was called to the school that same day, where the principal, Nick Harris, and Price allegedly accused NC of being the one who was aggressive and violent during the earlier meeting.
After NC withdrew from the tennis team due to the racial abuse she faced, Dozier met with Price and presented a recording of the meeting with NC, Webster, and Price. According to the lawsuit, Price admitted to lying about NC's behavior and apologized. Another meeting was then held with Harris, Webster, Dozier, and the student's stepfather, during which Harris allegedly stated that he wanted to end the complaints.
However, Dozier wrote a letter to the school district and the School Board, both listed as defendants in the suit, detailing the racial discrimination her daughter had faced. A district investigator conducted a superficial investigation and found evidence of bias from the coach but claimed she "didn't know any better."
The lawsuit also alleges that NC was subjected to bullying from teachers, with some allegedly saying "shame on her" as she walked down the hallways. The principal, who is accused of not intervening, reportedly allowed this to happen. Due to the retaliation she faced, NC chose to withdraw from the school on Jan. 24.
In response to the lawsuit, Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier stated that they do not comment on matters related to pending litigation. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and damages, including attorney's fees and costs, as well as remedial action as authorized by Title VI.
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