Dupage Policy Journal

A black-only student group at Wheaton's Edison School has been conducting lectures for white students this week, instructing them on what words it is appropriate to use around blacks, why it is important that whites find Black History Month important and the particulars of “black hair culture.”

An email to parents and students obtained by DuPage Policy Journal outlined the details of Edison’s school-sponsored “Panthers in Black” lecture series.

"There are different endings such as '-er' and '-a' which have two different meanings,” one slide from the presentation reads.

The presentation goes on to dictate how the word should be approached.

“When it is used between African Americans, the definition of the word changes and is commonly used as a term of endearment such as "friend" or “buddy”. ONLY African Americans can use it in this context, not other races,” another slide reads.

The Panthers in Black Club is closed to non-black students.

“If there are any African American students who would like to join Panthers In Black (PIB), please contact your school counselor. PIB works towards raising awareness about Black history, culture, and racial injustice,” the slideshow reads at the end.

The lecture took place without parent notice. The lecturer was delivered to sixth-graders on Monday, March 7, seventh-graders on Tuesday, March 8, and to the eighth grade on Wednesday, March 9.

The series was announced by the school via email.

“This week, a group of students from our Panthers in Black group is presenting a short slideshow during part of the ELA block. The presentation is called POV from PIB (Point of

View from Panthers in Black). The presenters are 8th grade students who are Black and want to help their non-black peers learn how to avoid saying some of the offensive and hurtful things they have heard in our school,” the school said in an email.

“Some of the topics include the history and importance of Black History Month, the history of the n-word and the importance of never saying it, Black hair culture and the importance of not touching people's hair and more.

“We truly want our school to be a place where all students feel seen, accepted, respected, and valued. We are so proud of these girls for having the courage to share these important lessons with their peers in the hopes of creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment in our school.”

Edison School is part of CUSD 200 and has 664 students in 2021, 464 whites, 59 Hispanics, 53 Asians and 42 blacks, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

See the full slideshow here.