Parents of tennis player Ann Arbor called racial slur seek excuses in person, social change after accident

The parents of an Ann Arbor Skyline tennis player who was called a nigger during a game on Thursday are looking for a social change and face-to-face apologies for their son.

Courtney Allen Nathan, mother of Skyline player Avinash Nathan, said she realized something was wrong when she took it from the game and sensed that something was wrong.

Avinash and his doubles teammate had competed against a Saline doubles team when one of Saline’s players called Avinash the racial slur during the match.

Courtney was stunned when Avinash entered the vehicle and told her what had happened.

“He was definitely in shock,” Courtney told MLive. “I remember his face when he got into the car. I’ve seen him talking to his coach and honestly, as a parent, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God, did something happen? What is this conversation?

“And then he got in the car and explained. He looked like he just got off the roller coaster. He was definitely in shock. “

What followed was Avinash’s father, Hari, who took to social media to address the situation and called for immediate action from the salt-area schools.

Warning: this tweet contains explicit language.

“Given the recent events with anti-Mexican commentary and now this, and given the sheer lack of diversity in your community, you have a lot of work and education to do,” Hari tweeted.

Saline Superintendent Scot Graden and Superintendent Jeanice Swift of Ann Arbor Public Schools released a joint statement on Friday condemning the incident.

“While we cannot share specific student information, as soon as we became aware of this unfortunate racial incident that occurred during a tennis match yesterday, members of our Saline and AAPS teams worked together, including coaches, athletic directors, administrators and supervisors to take clear, immediate and decisive action in response – in line with our values, practices and policies of fairness and non-discrimination in our district, ”the statement read. “In the Saline Area Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools, we are firmly united against all acts of prejudice, fanaticism and racism, and we will act consistently in living this commitment.

“We will continue to collaborate in this work moving forward as we will not allow unfortunate acts of racism like this to define our schools and our community.”

Hari said that while he appreciated Saline’s quick reaction to the incident, more needed to be done to prevent a similar situation in the future.

“I wanted to thank Saline Schools for responding quickly,” Hari told MLive. “However, I think that punitive action alone does not really solve the fundamental problem. I think that in the same way that the insult was uttered face to face, an apology should be uttered face to face. If anything good is to come from this situation, this is what is needed.

“Just by patting the baby on the wrist and saying, ‘You shouldn’t play tennis’, he’ll find a way to play tennis. That won’t solve the problem. He needs to sit down and understand the impact of those words. I want to give him the chance. benefit of the doubt. I want to believe he doesn’t understand how painful those words are, and I hope I’m not wrong. “

A message was left at Graden’s office seeking comment on the possibility of Nathan’s request for an apology in person.

Courtney said the family often discusses social issues, which has allowed her son to be better equipped to handle the situation.

“He is not looking for the spotlight, we are never looking for the spotlight in these kinds of moments, but he also grew up in a family where we talk about social justice and our responsibility to help create a community worthy of all children and all. us, and he knows what he’s supposed to do and he did it yesterday reporting the incident and his friends did too, “he said. “I’m so proud of him for doing it, I just wish he didn’t have to.”

Thursday’s incident comes six months after a similar incident involving Saline’s students.

In January, Graden reported a different racial incident involving Saline high school students who sent racist messages to other students in a social media group chat.

In that incident, two students were suspended and expulsion was recommended for two others.

Hari added that while the family appreciates the support they have received, they still feel for those who aren’t so lucky to have a platform to talk about similar issues.

“I put it on Twitter and immediately people from all over the country retweeted it and replied,” he said. “How about the guy who doesn’t have that platform, and who just has to swallow it and move on?

“(Avinash) will go out there and play because we have our backs to him. But what about the guys who hear about it and don’t even want to set foot on the tennis court because they’re afraid of what you might say to them? “

Courtney said the family will be able to overcome this incident and hopes that, speaking openly, there can be sustained change going forward.

“I hope what we can try to do is create more space for all of our children to feel safe and welcome wherever they go,” she said. “Our children are our greatest gift, they have potential, each of them, regardless of the package they were born into.

“I am grateful that my son has come forward and told his truth and talked about what happened. And I hope that instead of the “I’m sorrys” we’re getting, the parents and community members get engaged. I hope they get angry, I hope they have difficult conversations with their children.

“I hope our community continues to move towards a fair space for every child and I will work to do my part. My son has done his part, my husband is doing his part by sparking this conversation and we just want to see things improve for each child. “

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