Student Sues Teacher For Racist Comment

A Southern California middle school student is suing her school board due to racist comments made by her teacher.

Coral Aviles is going after the Bear Valley Middle School after the unidentified teacher made hurtful comments about Mexicans. Aviles described the incident in a statement released last Thursday (July 21).

”Last year, during the World Cup I wore a 'Mexico' soccer jersey to school. I walked into my performing arts class, and my teacher asked me in front of the class if I was Mexican. I responded 'yes.' She then asked me in a loud voice: what was I doing in her country? She said that it was because of people like me that she had to pay high taxes and high insurance rates. I tried to speak with the principal about it. When I returned, the teacher asked me to leave the classroom because I was crying so much. I never expected to be treated so badly because of who I am."

The school principal reportedly asked the teacher to apologize three days after the comments were made. Aviles' mother claims that the school administration had very little to say in response to her concerns about the incident.

Aviles is getting help in her case from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Aviles’ lawyer Nancy Ramirez confirmed to the Huffington Post that the teacher is still working at the school.