The DeSoto County School District has launched an inquiry after sixth-grader Amaya Foster, 11, complained that her teacher, Taylor Wiles, made a racist joke comparing Black people to animals in class.
Amaya described the situation in an interview, claiming that the teacher joined pupils who were already making obscene comments.
“Ms. Wiles goes, ‘Hey, y’all want to hear a dark humor joke? ‘ Then she said, ‘What’s the difference between a Black man and an animal? An animal is there for its family ,’” Amaya recalled.
According to Amaya, the teacher laughed aloud after making the comment.
Olivia Jones, Amaya’s mother, reported the event to school authorities, expressing worry about the negative impact such words can have on children.
“I don’t want my daughter to become a statistic,” Jones said, referencing cases of bullying that have led to severe mental health issues among students.
In response to the charges, the DeSoto County School District issued a statement expressing its commitment to providing a “safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students and staff.”
The district further stated that it takes such complaints seriously and is actively investigating the situation. The district has moved Amaya to a new classroom, preventing her from interacting with the concerned instructor.
While the district investigates, Jones is demanding responsibility and hopes the incident raises awareness about the dangers of such activities.
“Comments like these have a severe impact on people’s lives,” she said.
The inquiry is ongoing, and the district has yet to announce any disciplinary action against the teacher.