MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Parents of kids at Central High School were frustatrated and sending out a plea for help.
They said school administrators don’t have control, and the fights were so bad kids are ending up in the hospital.
Students said the school needs to teach them how to handle these dangerous situations, and not just punish them.
Cellphone video shot Wednesday morning before school even got started, showe several fights happening simultaneously on the front steps of the school.
Kimberly Wilkerson said her daughter was one of the victims.
“You can’t live this and think life is going to be good for you,” she explained.
Wilkerson was there to talk to one of the principals about an incident the day before with her daughter Mya.
She said the bullies were so bad she’s scared for her daughter’s life.
Mya told WREG, “I hate jumping out of my character just to show somebody. That’s not me.”
Mya admited it wasn’t the right thing to do, but she doesn’t think the punishment fits the crime.
She has been suspended for the rest of the year.
Her friend Terica got a two-week suspension, and a black eye.
She had to go to Le Bonheur for X-rays.
Her mom couldn’t believe it all happened at school.
Erica Francis said, “I get a call saying my daughter was beat up. I was upset!”
Terica said a suspension won’t fix anything, and believed it’s undeserved.
“While we are at home everyone else is in school, learning.”she said
Students said these terrible fights happened on the schools stairs because of what they were not learning inside.
“How to diffuse a situation, and not engage in it.”
We asked, “So turning around and walking away?”
Mya said flatly, “It’s not an option.”
Her mom said she plans on continuing to fight this suspension and said she’ll get a lawyer.
Wilkerson started welling up with tears, “It’s like a no-win situation for a parent or adult that does care.”