LETTER: Unfair statements made about Sky View studentbody

I am writing to you because I think Katy Shoemaker unfairly represented the students and culture of Sky View High School in her statement to KSL News. She said: “I had students reach out from Sky View who were attesting to the racism that they hear every day in the hallways and nobody brings it up because it’s the majority of the students.”*

I am a senior at Sky View High School and proud of it. Like many, I was appalled at the poor taste in costumes shown by a select few of my peers, but that is not representative of our student body. I know the majority of my classmates to be kind-hearted and inclusive individuals and I feel it is unfair for Ms. Shoemaker to portray them as anything else.

She made a sweeping generalization based on the actions of a loud minority. I believe I speak for the majority of my peers when I say I am hurt by the portrayal of our school and student body and I ask that Ms. Shoemaker stop making statements based upon her uninformed assumptions.

-Carter Chatterton

*https://www.ksl.com/article/50295463/utah-school-assembly-addressing-racism-erupts-into-its-own-controversy

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14 Comments

  • Joseph Smith December 3, 2021 at 12:52 pm Reply

    That was a well written message Carter and I’m sure you and most of your classmates are really great young people. But we can all do better.

    In this valley, the majority of our residents practice a religion that taught them that dark skinned people were “less than”. And I’m not talking about hundreds of years ago – it was almost 1980. They taught that dark skinned people were vile and evil. And even though they present themselves with the best intentions, that is a fact that may be more difficult for people to unlearn than you think. I mean, this was a message that came from god and was changed by man.

    In any case, love is the answer. I hope you will be a positive influence on your circle and wish you the best.

    • AKH December 3, 2021 at 8:29 pm Reply

      Mr. Smith, on the other hand appears to be part of the problem. He could have just as easily said “good job writing an informative opinion piece” and left it at that. Instead he chose to make statement that targeted a particular religion as a whole.

      • Can'thidefromthetruch December 4, 2021 at 8:28 am Reply

        Facts =/= targeting. why are you against historical facts being presented? #factsdon’tfacereyourfeelings

        • AKH December 4, 2021 at 1:14 pm Reply

          What are you even talking about? I said nothing about facts or withholding information! I was more concerned with the fact that Mr. Smith seems to get some sort of thrill out of harassing a high school student for standing up for his beliefs.

          • Joseph Smith December 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm

            I think you need to re-read my message to the young man. It was nice and respectful. Nothing I said was untrue or hurtful. I have lots of friends and family that are Mormon. The racist realities of the late 1970’s are a reality. It is what it is. I was simply saying that it may need some help getting unlearned. I mean, it was a message from god. Sorry if the message upset you though AKH. It wasn’t meant to. It was supposed to be kind and as gentle as a snowflake. 🙂

  • AKH December 3, 2021 at 8:25 pm Reply

    Way to stand up for yourself and your peers! I commend your bravery and conviction! As a parent of 2 child who also attend Sky View, I am also of the opinion that the majority of the students are better than the inexcusable behavior of a select few! Thank you for being an exceptional human being and giving me hope for future generations!

    • Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree December 4, 2021 at 6:04 am Reply

      Shocked, shocked, well not at all shocked, a skyview parent teacher is not holding the rest of the students accountable.

      • AKH December 4, 2021 at 1:11 pm Reply

        Accountable for what? The student body as a whole didn’t show ignorance. What is wrong with holding accountable those who misbehaved, and not making blanket statements about the whole school?

        • You can’t be this stupid December 4, 2021 at 5:09 pm Reply

          You mean students/admin that let a kid get up in blackface stage and parents that got more upset about a video than a klan outfit?
          Sure seems like the whole barrel is rotten.

          • AKH December 5, 2021 at 9:03 am

            You have got to be kidding me!? The students are responsible because they “let” someone do something?!?! Since when are the innocent held accountable for the sins of another?! That my friend is not how democracy works! We are to held accountable for our own misdeeds and NOT for the choices of another! You are treading on the deep waters of dictatorship and it’s quite unattractive!

          • Down with racism December 5, 2021 at 12:50 pm

            Saying nothing is choice….

  • Skyview seems to tolerate racist REALLY well December 3, 2021 at 9:38 pm Reply

    And here I was thinking the KKK outfit was gonna be the problem.
    According to Carter the real issue is calling out his complicity.

  • Inherent Racist December 4, 2021 at 9:24 am Reply

    You’re racist. Because of the color of your skin you are inherently racist and there is absolutely nothing you can ever or will ever be able to do about that.
    How does the previous statement make you feel? Because that is the type of generalization that is occurring against sky view high school at this time. As a peer of Carters and an individual who these vast generalizations are directed to, I agree with what was stated by him.

    • Lol no December 4, 2021 at 11:18 am Reply

      Lol no. But seeing someone in blackface and saying nothing means you are okay with racism.

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