H.S., a student at a high school in Silsbee, Texas, reported being raped by a fellow student and athletic star. Her rapist, Rakheem Bolton (who eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser assault charge), was allowed to continue to play on the varsity basketball team.
After her assault, H.S., a member of the high school cheerleading squad, was put in the position of cheering for a team that included her rapist. She continued to cheer for the team but refused to perform a cheer that included her rapist’s name each time he stepped up to the free throw line.
What happened next is unconscionable. School officials decided that if the rape survivor would not scream “Rakheem” with the rest of the cheerleaders, she would be kicked off the squad. Representatives of the school also suggested that H.S. “to keep a low profile, such as avoiding the school cafeteria and not taking part in homecoming activities.”
Bravely, H.S. refused. And as a result she was kicked off the cheerleading squad.
No young woman should be forced to cheer for her rapist. The family of H.S. sued the school district and lost. And now Silsbee High School can actually force her parents to pay their legal fees, which are more than $35,000.
Please sign this petition to Silsbee High School and reblog. It only has three thousand signatures — surely we can at least triple that number, with your help.
Well, this is fucked up. A kid who raped a girl can continue to play on the team, but the girl is going to get kicked off her team for not cheering for her rapist? What is this bullshit? Fuck everything.
