JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It appears that several schools are showing their support for Andrew Jackson’s volleyball team after an alleged racist incident earlier this week.
The incident happened during Thursday’s varsity game against Fernandina Beach High School.
Photos and videos from the game show what appears to be Fernandina Beach students holding up a black baby doll.
Latavia Harris, the president of Together Eastside Coalition Incorporated, tells Action News Jax that multiple schools in the area have not been shy about showing their support.
“Even they’re saying, ‘Yeah, we can’t take a chance that this happens again,’” Harris said. “It’s just one of those things that we’re not going to let them sweep under the rug. We’re going to fight to the end.”
One photo posted by someone who appears to be the cross-country coach at William M. Raines High School states that the school’s program is withdrawing from the 8th annual Coach Hope Memorial held at Fernandina Beach High School.
The posts says, in part: “Our program cannot, in good conscience, participate in an event hosted by a school connected to circumstances of this nature.”
Another post from an account followed by Westside High School says, “We stand with Jackson from your Lady Wolverines Volleyball.”
Another Instagram account, Wolfsonvolleyball, followed by Duval Schools, posted, “Racism has no place in volleyball, in our schools, or in our communities. Every athlete deserves to compete in an environment of respect, dignity and safety. Wolfson Volleyball stands with the Andrew Jackson players, coaches, families and community. We see you, we support you and we stand beside you.”
“Wolfson is not in a predominantly black neighborhood, and for them to stand and say, ‘Hey, this is wrong,’” Harris said. “Racism does exist, but there’s right and there’s wrong, and this was wrong.”
Jacksonville’s NAACP branch also posted in solidarity with Andrew Jackson, as did the city’s mayor, Donna Deegan.
“I’m deeply troubled by reports of this incident,” said Deegan in a statement. “Racism has no place in our school athletic events or anywhere in society. This matter is being investigated by both Duval and Nassau County Public Schools, and we look forward to the findings.”
But the uproar and media attention have also drawn in some criticism online. Action News Jax asked Harris what her message would be to those people.
“Those people have never been oppressed. To them, it is just a doll,” Harris said. “They don’t really think this type of stuff or know that this really happens. Now they get to see how it happens, and the color of your skin in some people’s eyes may be a crime.”
We also asked her what justice looks like for this situation.
“Justice to me is understanding your actions and that there are consequences to your actions. We really care about apologies too much because they can be staged,” Harris said. “So, justice to me is that Fernandina Beach probably will have to forfeit the rest of the year.”
Action News Jax has reached out to Duval County Public Schools to confirm the validity of the photos appearing to be from schools showing their support. We are still waiting to hear back.
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