This past April, thirteen-year-old Seth Larthridge (who is African American) and another student (who is white) were fighting in the school gym. This behavior was outside the norm for these young men. The school suspended them both.

The parents of the white student filed a police report, stating Seth had attacked their son. Seth's parents weren't notified until September that their son was facing charges. Since April, the two students have resolved their conflict, and the parents of the other child have decided not to press charges against Seth; they stated they don’t want him to have a record. Regardless, the prosecutor has picked up the case and is moving forward.

Since when do school fights lead to criminal charges? Seth is a gentle, kind, funny, and intelligent young man. He is not the monster he is being made out to be. The fact that the prosecutor has picked up this case is a classic example of funneling a young black man into the criminal justice system at an early age. The legitimacy of this case rests on stereotypes of “the angry black male” while also invoking the “innocent white victim.” This is racism in its most efficient form. The question that needs to be asked is if this situation were reversed—had Seth’s parents chosen to press charges—would this case be going to court?

Tell Kalamazoo County Family Court Assistant Prosecutor Chris Ann Johnson to drop these charges and stop perpetuating institutional racism.