March 5, 2021
By Jon King / [email protected]
Michigan Citizenship Director comments on recent allegations of racial intimidation by a Livingston County student.
James E. White, director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, made a statement today in response to reports of racial harassment and bias against Tatayana Vanderlaan, a Hartland Consolidated School student.
Earlier this week, 18-year-old Vanderlaan posted on Facebook that she was repeatedly referred to as a racist name, including the N-word, while attending Hartland High School, and that she was mocked about her hair and appearance in one instance of a teacher “heard everything and said nothing.” She said she decided not to go to school for three weeks because she was afraid of returning as a young black woman to a school that was supposed to be “safe and stress-free” but “didn’t feel safe or comforting at all” .
In response, White said he was “very concerned about reports of what this student has been expecting for months. At a time when she was faced with the daily challenges of high school, she had to grapple with this unacceptable situation. I applaud Tatyana for her courage in moving this situation forward. “
“Our main concern is your safety and well-being and that this harassment stops immediately. I am also concerned about reports that teachers and school administrators did not respond when they were first made aware of this situation. The department has been in contact with the school to help evaluate their policies and provide training assistance. We will also offer our support to Ms. Vanderlaan and her family, determine if there are any violations of Elliott-Larsen’s Civil Rights Act, and decide what to do next. “
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is currently pending an intimidation complaint after Vanderlaan said he must be escorted from campus Tuesday over the risk of being “lynched”. Hartland Superintendent Chuck Hughes sent a letter to the families later that day stating that the district “does not take the allegations lightly and will do everything possible to ensure that all children are safe and sound at school every day are welcome ”.
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the operational branch of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, is charged with investigating and resolving discrimination complaints and preventing discrimination through educational programs that encourage voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. It also offers companies information and services on diversity initiatives and equal labor law. For more information on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr.
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