Dorchester teacher accused of using derogatory language while practicing cotton picking

RADSON, South Carolina (WCSC) – A mother in Dorchester 2nd School District is looking for answers after she says her son’s teacher used a derogatory term for another teacher and forced her son to practice cotton picking.

Rashanda Wiggins’ son attends Oak Brook Middle School. She says she is offended by words his teacher allegedly said a few weeks ago.

“His teacher commented that he had a teacher next door. He’s a black teacher and she calls him ‘the monkey next door,'” says Wiggins.

Her son said that shortly after those comments, the teacher had the class do a cotton-picking activity.

“The vice-principal explained to me that she was going to bring in cotton and give it to the children, but her words were, ‘Here’s how to choose cotton.'” Wiggins says.

Wiggins says his son was upset.

“He wanted to know why we had to relive it, or why we had to go back to that state again,” she says.

Wiggins says the principal has acknowledged what happened, but she has not been offered any other answers as to the implications of any kind.

“I send my kids to school and learn,” says Wiggins. “They should be treated equally among their peers and education leaders. So when he came home and told me that I was, and still is, very upset.

The district responded to a request for comment with this statement:

Dorchester 2nd School District takes all allegations seriously. We are currently investigating an alleged incident at Oakbrook Middle School. I don’t comment on personnel.

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