Few issues are as emotionally charged as those regarding race, and that’s why a recent incident in Swain County needs to be discussed openly and dealt with in a quick, thorough fashion. The words and actions of Swain County Schools Superintendent Robert White, however, fall short of that mark given the circumstances surrounding a child who is entrusted to his care.

A seventh-grade student at Swain County Middle School found a note in her backpack that was, in effect, a license to hunt and kill African-Americans. The note said it was a “federal n—— hunting license” that entitled the bearer to “to hunt n——— any time day or night, with or without dogs.” The wording and phraseology in the note was similar to that used in actual hunting licenses.

According to the child’s mother, Evelyn Powell, complaints lodged over the last two years with school officials about the use of the “n” word by students toward her daughter have not been taken seriously enough. So she attended a school board meeting nearly three weeks ago and complained to school officials in public.

How did the long-time leader of the Swain County School System respond?

“I don’t know of ay incidents of anyone using that word. I really don’t,” White told a reporter.

Unfortunately, the note itself is proof that the word is being used, in writing if not verbally. Other parents, both white and African-American, also attest that racial slurs are still used by some students.

In another public statement, White said if the person who put the note in the student’s backpack was discovered, “It would be a school issue, and if we so wished, it could become a criminal issue. I think it would be handled through the school system.”

That’s just plain wrong. In this day and age, threats and racial intimidation by teens and even some pre-teens in almost all cases are criminal matters, although the accused may be tried as a juvenile and receive sentencing appropriate to that age level if found guilty. Threats to shoot someone are always serious.

It would be patently unfair to describe the Swain school system as condoning racism or even of being worse than any other in Western North Carolina. That is just not true. What is true, though, is that we have very few racial minorities in this region, and in most counties Native Americans and Hispanics either equal or outnumber African-Americans. Those who do discriminate have a very small percentage of the population to which they can hurl their invectives. That means those on the receiving end of such epithets are often too intimidated to do anything except turn their back and walk away.

But White, the person hired to lead all educators and students in Swain County, could set a better example. He has given no indication that he believes there is even a problem that needs special attention. Unless the mother or student can provide direct evidence or corroborating witnesses, White says he can do nothing.

That, again, is just wrong. Sure, a suspect or suspects may be hard to identify and punish. But this incident could also be what many educators refer to as a “teaching moment.” White could take steps to raise awareness of racial issues and racial prejudices. Assemblies, seminars and teacher-student discussions on race could be initiated. As Western North Carolina’s population continues to diversify, it is up to educators and parents to teach children that racism in all its manifestations is immoral and unacceptable.

No, contrary to White’s assertion, there is much that can be done in Swain County and elsewhere to help vanquish the remnants of racism.