NAACP investigating report of racism at Bingham High

SOUTH JORDAN — The NAACP is launching an investigation at Bingham High School after receiving a report that students in an AP political science class were "marching around like Nazis" during a week dedicated to learning about dictatorship.

Jeanetta Williams, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Salt Lake branch, said the investigation was prompted by a parent who told her that students at the school in March were marching around the school wearing dark suits with armbands, chanting in German, and making arm signals similar to those used to salute Hitler.

Jordan School District spokesman Steve Dunham said an AP political science teacher dedicates a week each year to teach students about dictatorship, but in the 20 years the class has been taught, there have not been any complaints. 

"We're not trying to hide anything, especially in light of what's taken place (at Alta)."

No complaints have been filed at either the school or district level, he said, and the district is not currently involved in an investigation.

A Bingham High student, Will Christensen, said students do wear arm bands during the "infamous" dictator week, where a student dictator and two assistants get to make rules for their classmates, but he isn't aware of any chants or signals related to Nazism. The students who are not in leadership have to perform tasks for the leaders, such as reserving parking spots for them.

Christensen described the teacher of the class, who he's had for other classes but not AP political science, a "great guy" and a "tough teacher." 

"He's not trying to offend anyone," he said. "It's clear that he succeeds in teaching the kids."

Christensen said the week's events don't offend him, but he does see how they could be "misinterpreted." He said he's heard from students that some teachers disapprove of dictator week.

Williams said the incident at Alta High School, when a student caused controversy by wearing a white pillowcase over his head at a school spirit assembly, likely prompted the parent to speak out.

"People won't say anything ... until something else happens," she said. 

Williams said she hopes Bingham High, and the district, will cooperate with the investigation. 

"There needs to be more sensitivity," she said. "If they want to teach dictatorship, there are other ways to teach it."

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