News Summary
La Salle Academy is dealing with a severe racism incident following the resignation of Brother Dennis Malloy amid investigations into a threatening racist text sent to a Black student. The school community is responding with initiatives to support affected students. The FBI is investigating similar incidents of hate speech across several states. Additionally, the school is addressing another case of homophobia involving a parent at a sports event. With these events leading to a transitional period in leadership, La Salle Academy is committed to fostering a supportive environment.
Providence, RI – La Salle Academy is grappling with a significant incident of racism as Brother Dennis Malloy announces his resignation from the leadership position at the school by the end of this month. This resignation follows a troubling occurrence where at least one Black student received a racist text message threatening her with the phrase, “selected to pick cotton.” The incident has prompted both local and national investigations into the dissemination of such messages.
In response to the situation, La Salle Academy has decided to bring back a familiar face in an interim capacity until a permanent successor is appointed. The racial incident, reported on Thursday, involved a text that was specifically addressed to a Black student, alarming her and causing school officials to describe the remarks as “abhorrent.” Principal Timothy Welsh indicated that it triggered immediate action, leading to a meeting being scheduled for the school’s diversity committee to provide necessary support for affected students.
The FBI is currently investigating the aggressive text messages, which have been reported across numerous states including Alabama, California, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Massachusetts. These messages were concerning in nature, often threatening recipients by instructing them to prepare for pickup in a brown van for “plantation” work, with similar, disturbing connotations. The messages have reportedly been circulated en masse, highlighting a disturbing trend of hate speech proliferating online.
In the aftermath, La Salle Academy’s administration has taken steps to collaborate with the state Attorney General’s office to facilitate a thorough inquiry. This includes understanding the targeting of students through these messages. Brother Malloy, in his communication to the school community, emphasized the institution’s steadfast commitment to combat racism, asserting that they stand in solidarity with communities of color as part of their Catholic, Lasallian ministry.
Besides this incident, La Salle Academy has addressed another troubling occurrence involving a parent who was ejected from a volleyball semifinal match after using a homophobic slur. The school responded by reinforcing its dedication to Christ’s teachings, which promote love and respect for all individuals, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The parent in question has faced consequences, including a ban from attending future events and potential disciplinary actions.
Brother Malloy’s long tenure in parochial education will come to a close this month, marking the end of his leadership at the largest Catholic school in Rhode Island. His departure has coincided with these serious incidents, raising questions about the administrative response to hate speech and the overall climate at La Salle Academy. The La Salle boys volleyball team is also preparing to participate in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) State Championship match, an event that will proceed amid this backdrop of disconcerting developments.
In light of these recent events, the La Salle Academy community faces the challenge of addressing hate and discrimination while fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Business News: La Salle Academy President Malloy Retiring
- Boston Globe: RI La Salle Academy Racist Texts Reported
- Providence Journal: La Salle Promises Decisive Action After Homophobic Slur
- Wikipedia: Racism
- Legacy: Ernest Baptista Obituary
- Google Search: La Salle Academy Hate Speech
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
