Outrage after ‘racist’ Utah teacher ‘told 12-year-old Asian boy in front of entire class that he looked like KIM JONG-UN’
- A 12-year-old boy claimed his teacher compared him to Kim Jong-Un
- The boy’s father learned of the incident a week later, after his son’s behavior changed dramatically
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The principal of Lake Mountain Middle School told the father that the teacher will publicly apologize and that the school is investigating the incident
The Asian father of a 12-year-old boy is outraged after a Utah high school teacher allegedly compared his son to Kim Jong-Un.
The boy’s father, who remained anonymous, told ABC4 that the incident occurred on Oct. 24 at Lake Mountain Middle School.
The teacher allegedly compared the student to the North Korean supreme leader when they showed a photo of him on a large screen to the entire class.
The teacher then asked the class if they agreed, with some students laughing in response, the boy’s father claims.
‘Being ignorant is not acceptable when you are an adult. As a child you make a lot of mistakes and you learn from them,” the father said. ABC4.
A 12-year-old student told his father that his teacher at Lake Mountain Middle School (pictured) compared him to North Korean leader Kim Jon-Un on October 24.
The father also revealed that other students made stereotypical comments about his son, calling him “cross-eyed” and saying he ate dogs.
The 12-year-old told his parents about the incident a week later, after they started noticing a drastic change in his behavior.
His father said his son had stomach problems that he believes were caused by the stress of the situation. He added that his son became emotional when he told his parents what happened to him.
Kimberly Bird, a representative of the Alpine School District, released a statement saying, “Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in the Alpine School District. These types of allegations are handled quickly and in accordance with district policy.”
“Our policy outlines procedures for investigations and, if necessary, action that provides appropriate safeguards while investigations are ongoing.”
The father, who grew up in Japan but moved to the U.S. to attend college, said this is not the first time his children have encountered racial conflict at school.
“It seems like a more widespread problem that needs more attention,” the father told ABC4.
The boy’s father said he spoke to the school’s principal and was told the school would investigate and that the teacher would apologize to the entire class for their actions.
The Utah State Board of Education said CUTV that in response to the incident they emphasized Title Six.
Title Six is a part of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits discrimination based on a person’s race, color, or national origin in programs that receive federal funding.
The father, who wished to remain anonymous, told ABC4 that students also called his son “squinty eye” and said he ate dogs.
The teacher allegedly compared the student to the North Korean supreme leader (pictured) as they showed a photo of him on a large screen to the entire class.
Janeeta Williams, president of the NAACP Salt Lake Branch, told KUTV she was deeply discouraged by the incident.
‘This is humiliating. This type of racism is conscious and intentional and should never be tolerated.”
‘There is no excuse for this type of behaviour. Students are sent to school to learn and not to be ridiculed. This teacher should be reprimanded and undergo diversity and sensitivity training,” Williams said.
The principal also told the father that they had a conversation with school staff about race and discrimination.
The father still believes that the teacher ‘crossed the line’ and wants the situation to be further investigated. He also suggested that crucial adjustments need to be made to prevent this from happening again.