Racist slurs painted on animals belonging to FFA students

(10/15/07 - KTRK/HUMBLE, TX) (KTRK) -- Students are shocked by acts of racism in an organization that teaches responsibility and discipline. One father tells Eyewitness News it's not what was said, but rather what was scrawled on several FFA animals.

His daughters spent the beginning of the school year trying to recruit other African American kids to join the FFA. They love the organization. But now they're concerned this incident will hurt it.

When George Hobbs' teenage daughters checked on their pigs at Humble ISD's FFA barn Friday night, their excitement about their swine projects quickly turned sour.

"That's not funny -- at all," Hobbs said.

His daughters took pictures of the scene. Someone had splattered at least five animals with fake blood. Hobbs says there were as many as 15. The 'n word' was written on the animals belonging to African American students. It was difficult to make out on the pigs, but it was quite clear on the cement floor.

"They may be playing around, but it's not a joke," Hobbs said. "There's too much of this type stuff going on in the world today."

Administrators have taken action, charging one boy who is white. He is a fellow FFA student and a student at Atascocita High School. He is charged with trespassing on school property, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. But these are school charges only. The district attorney's office declined criminal charges.

Hobbs is not happy.

"I think they should go serve some time for it," he said.

Instead, the student will be assigned to an alternative school for the rest of the year.

A spokesperson with Humble ISD issued a statement: "I hope that the attention given to the incident, as well as the punishment that will be handed down, will be reminders that such behavior will not be tolerated." Hobbs says his daughters have been affected.

"My kids have never been exposed to anything like this. I have. It doesn't affect me as much as it does them," he said. "You just hate for it to happen to your kids."

A supervisor in the district attorney's office who did know the facts of this case said, in general, the office likely declined charges because there was no damage or monetary loss. The animals are OK. It's the students' emotions that George Hobbs is worried about. Texas FFA Association issued the following statement: "We are deeply disappointed that this has happened and saddened that these students have been the target of this attack. This sort of assault on other students is inconsistent with the mission and ideals of the FFA and cannot be tolerated."

"Fulfilling our mission to develop all of our students' full potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education remains as our first priority. It is our intent to reach all students regardless of their racial or ethnic heritage."

"It is our understanding that the student responsible for painting racial epithets on the livestock housed at the school facility has been in the instructional program only since September and has not had the benefit of the leadership and personal skill development opportunities that the FFA offers. It is our understanding that pursuant to the bylaws of the Atascosita chapter, this infraction has disqualified this student from membership. This is consistent with the state and national constitutions which require students to display conduct consistent with the ideals and purposes of the FFA."
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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