Tam High football team gets warning on racist language

The Tamalpais Union High School District is threatening to cancel Tam High football games if the program has more incidents of racism.

In a letter sent to football players and their families, Kelly Lara, an assistant district superintendent, said two incidents occurred involving racist speech made toward, and about, a Black teammate.

“I am appalled that this has happened twice on the football team,” Lara wrote. “This is unacceptable. It is deeply hurtful to the targeted teammate and to all Black teammates. The ripple of harm is not limited to the Football team; this also hurts the wider Tam High community of Black students, staff, and families.”

The letter, sent Oct. 25, notifies the team that the district is placing it on probation. Lara said that if there is another incident, the team will immediately forfeit games or the entire season.

Tara Taupier, the district superintendent, said administrators “were appalled by and unequivocally denounce the use of anti-Black speech and behavior.”

“This harmful language not only affects the targeted individual but also impacts the broader Tam High and districtwide community,” she said.

Taupier said an administration team, the athletic director and coaches held a meeting with the Tam High football community and students “to discuss the incidents and reinforce our expectations for student behavior.”

Taupier confirmed that there was disciplinary action taken beyond the probation, but would not go into specifics because of privacy concerns.

The football team incidents follow other recent controversies at the school. In April, the school investigated students after a racist photo was circulated. In October 2023, students led a walkout in protest after video showing students using a racist slur spread through the school.

Taupier said the district has continuously educated students on inclusive language and respect, as well as disciplinary actions for violating related policies. Disciplinary consequences for violating the policy include school suspension and possible expulsion.

Lara wrote that football players were aware of the district’s policy because all students have been educated about hate speech.

“Therefore, all students are aware of our expectations and zero-tolerance policy,” Lara said. “There are no excuses. I am concerned that there is a culture of anti-Blackness on the Tam High Football team and a climate that allows anti-Black, dehumanizing speech to perpetuate.”

Ida Times-Green, elected in the school district board election on Nov. 5, said the district held a forum at Tam High about racism in May. The meeting was to address the district’s anti-racism plan and focused on three key priorities: student education and engagement; staff education; and parent education and engagement.

“From a personal perspective I have zero tolerance for racism in any form,” Times-Green said. “Certainly racist acts should never manifest on educational institutions and especially among organized sports. Organized sports is a time for students to build camaraderie, character, friendships and pride.”

Times-Green, who is Black, is on the district’s Racial Justice Task Force, which is working to build a connection between families through events like dinners that encourage conversations among strangers.

“The district is charting a path of ‘belonging’ for all students and there is no room to mistreat others based on their racial identity, gender, economic status, or individual preference,” Times-Green said in an email.

Lara, in her letter, said she expects teammates to call out racist language or conduct and to stand up for each other. She said being a silent bystander when witnessing racist and harmful behavior is equal to condoning it.

“As a team, I expect that you lift each other up and encourage one another both on and off the field; not tear each other down,” the letter states. “I believe that the Tam High Football Team can come together and reflect upon the harm that has been caused and commit to create a more just community, free of racial harm, on the team.”