OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
September 20, 2004
Dear Colleague:
As a new school year begins, we write to advise you of a recurrent issue that
we have encountered involving extra-curricular activities: the allocating of
awards or honors on the basis of race. We have found, for example, that some
school districts have racially separate Homecoming Queens and Kings, Most Popular
Student, Most Friendly, as well as other superlatives. We have also found that
school districts have assisted in facilitating racially-separate proms. Indeed,
our attorneys have been made aware of several examples of these types of activities
as recently as last year.
These practices are inconsistent with federal law. The Civil Rights Division
of the Department of Justice and the Department of Education will act promptly
to remedy such violations where they occur, through litigation if necessary.
This letter does not suggest that these or similar practices are currently
ongoing in your school districts. We write only to make clear that such practices
are inconsistent with federal law and should not be tolerated.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance. If you should
have any questions or are in need of assistance in dealing with this issue in
any district, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
_____________________________
Kenneth Marcus
Delegated the Authority of
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education |
_____________________________
R. Alexander Acosta
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice |
