(@Mrz_Keisha Twitter)
CHARLES CITY – A Charles City mother whose son was subjected to racist taunts at a baseball game by persons connected to Waverly-Shell Rock schools is furious after a “watered-down apology” and a possible flimsy investigation.
Keisha M. Cunnings of Charles City has led a steady response to an appalling situation that took place at a recent high school baseball game this season between Charles City and Waverley-Shell Rock in which her son, Jeremiah, was competing. Allegedly, fans of W-SR yelled taunts at the young man, including calling him Colin Kaepernick, hurling pro-Donald Trump chants and that he should have been George Floyd.
The Charles City School District soon released a response to the incident, saying in part, “During a recent away athletic contest one of our African-Amercian players endured several bigoted comments yelled from the crowd. This included, “Get back to the fields!” and “You’re only here because of George Floyd.” Sadly, this has been a pattern of behavior that our students of color have had to endure in many different places and contexts and is part of their daily experience. This is unacceptable.”
The ongoing saga and fallout from this incident has been overwhelmingly supportive of Jeremiah, with many Iowans and famous people and organizations expressing their dismay at what took place and urging Jeremiah to keep going and play hard.
The latest information released is a response from the Waverly school district including what they claim was an investigation that won’t be released publicly. Keisha M. Cunnings responded to Waverly’s investigation:
(@Mrz_Keisha via Twitter)
The Des Moines Register has also reported that Charles City has requested at least a year away from competing with Waverly in sports.
the guy just got off his shift at McD’s so don’t mind his racist rants. This 20 hour week stuff is hard on him.
What is an apology for racial discrimination worth from the town of Waverly? $10,000 in 1955.
July, 2020
The story of Charles City baseball player Jeremiah Cunnings enduring racial taunts from a Waverly, SR sports fan reminds me of racial incident in Waverly, Iowa in the spring of 1955.
April, 1955
US Air Force Captain, Virgil Daniels, a 12-year Air Force veteran was stationed at now shuttered NORAD radar base outside of Waverly. At the time he was seeking housing for his family of five he called Waverly, “our little town” but was initially denied rental housing in an apartment building because he was a Negro. (In 1955 Negro was universally accepted). The Fund for the Republic, heard about a subsequent apology from the city of Waverly and the town was awarded a $10,000 civil rights grant. Life Magazine came and recorded a Welcome to Waverly party. The funds were used for a scholarship for Waverly’s youth.
Waverly, Iowa is my hometown. I graduated from Waverly, Shell Rock high school in 1963 and received a scholarship from the funds awarded to the City of Waverly. Perhaps Jeremiah Cunnings would be eligible for a scholarship from the same fund. If not, why not?
The Waverly Shell Rock public schools need to immediately look at their civics and history classes and introduce a curriculum to address the history of racial discrimination in the town of Waverly. There is ample material that students can read, discuss and consider in regarding how the town of Waverly responded to Captain Virgil Daniel’s family.
Nicely stated, Paulette Will. I think it would be a wonderful gesture.
The action, comments, and behavior of Waverly-Shellrock
was terrible! The school administration should be responsible for their students actions. They need to set rules and guidelines for the students. Teach sportsmanship. This is totally discusting! We are all one and should be treated equally. Waverly-Shellrock does need to release their direction of action taken.
Lets all UNITE!!!! RESPECT ONE ANOTHER!!
School administration cannot be expected to control the lawful behavior of spectators in the stands nor should they. In a perfect world we would all get along and exhibit good sportsmanship, but that is never going to happen.
School administrators are charged with providing a safe environment for students, including student-athletes. Yes, they are responsible for the actions of their students. Some adult at that game–home administrator or the umpire–should have stopped the game and awarded a forfeit from Waverly to Charles City.
Not a bad solution. Who, bedsides an ump, was in a position of authority at the game? Kind of feels like anywhere Waverly plays, someone needs to watch the crowd/team/coaches.
the world will be changed by your example, not by your opinion!
Students in the WSR school system, know who did this. Be better then that, drop the name. If it doesn’t happen, it will be obvious that the whole school system is racist.
Why did someone call him “Colin K.”? Unless he took a knee during the anthem. Do they even still play the anthem at high school baseball games? Otherwise calling him “Colin K.” doesn’t make sense. I think there is more to this story than we know. Either that or there is a couple of very drunk or stupid fans in Waverly that attended that game…
Waverly played MC in football years back, it was a soph game I think. Waverly fans in MC in the stadium. Rude, rude, rude. Taunters. Needed decked.
Should of called Robin
Black people are protesting, blocking traffic, burning down buildings, demonstrations that infringe on everyone’s rights. All in all, acting like they rule the world and treat everyone like dirt. Perhaps black people should take to heart the old adage, “What you reap, so also shall you sow”.
You are an idiot. There are many different people at those protests, of all colors. Since when in this country is it ok to yell racial slurs at someone? You are worse than the people yelling. Why don’t you go back to the 18th century where you belong?
Since when is it ok to block traffic, in which there is an ambulance taking someone to the hospital? Risking lives and possibly having someone die is ok?? Burning down a Wendy’s because you are angry is ok?? Someone’s place of business, someone who had no direct part in what the protest is about, that’s ok? Try looking at things objectively, not so subjectively, so emotionally. You’re like the protesters, seeing one side of the story, and too racist to see the truth.
This wasn’t about the protests. You moved it into that arena by trying to rationalize what happened to this young man and attempting to shift the blame to other people. Try looking at it objectively yourself. You cannot justify this under any circumstances but that is exactly what you are doing.
Objectively speaking, right is right, wrong is wrong. Yes, it’s wrong to racially taunt, or taunt anyone for any reason anytime. It’s wrong to impinge on others rights just to prove a point. Apologies. Sometimes I read more into the article then what is there.
AMEN!!!!! I AM SURE THIS IS A GREAT KID BUT BECAUSE OF THE JACKASSS BURNING AND DESTROYING ALL OF AMERICAS SHIT WELL WE HAVE ALL HAD IT!!!!! SO BECAUSE OF THOSE IDIOTS WELL UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE ALL GOING TO FEEL THE SAME ABOUT ALL OF YOU
Not “we” you moron, it is just you. You don’t speak for anybody least of all people who think and feel.
And its JACKASSES…. If you want to make a point, try spell check you ignorant turd
Give Chuckie town a decade and the crime rate will be way beyond anything going on in River City. It’ll be worst then Fort Dodge even. As for people giving you crap just knock it out of the park! Works every time. Jesse Owens once stayed at the now torn down Dodge House in Mason City. Before he smoked hitler at the Olympics. Or after.
well lets see, you turn on the TV every night and see burning, robbing, raping, looting, and rioting, and NOTHING is being done to stop it!
And you think harmful talk at a baseball game is going to be addressed?
Good point. Well put.