Despite tensions, Pell City joins together

Published 12:18 pm Friday, October 6, 2017

On Friday morning, hundreds of Pell City students, faculty, parents, law enforcement and city leaders gathered in front of Pell City High School to pray for the community.

“For anyone misguided by the current social media narrative, this is who we are. We are a community of children playing together, without regard for color. We are a community of teenagers, working together at city clean-up day, determined to make Pell City the best it can be. We are a community of families who look up to our first responders, for they protect us all. We are a community of parents and grandparents, and while we may not share the same skin color, we share the same desire for our children to grow up in a safe and loving environment,” Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt posted in a statement on his Facebook page.

Over the past week, racial tensions in Pell City have been stirred by social media posts and media attention.

The situation began on Friday, Sept. 29 after a class debate between two high school students. The disagreement over standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem led to an online threat, which resulted in one student being suspended.

In response, several students were flying American flags from their vehicles on Monday in a show of patriotism.

“We have great kids in Pell City,” Pell City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Barber, said. “They (students) came in on Monday and we had class as usual. They were very respectful.”

Another social media post featuring a young individual burning an American flag sparked more controversy and a separate unsubstantiated racial threat against African American students at the high school, prompting concerned parents to check students out of school on Tuesday. More than 100 students checked out of school, though no credible threat was found.

“We took all threats seriously but there have been no incidents at any Pell City School,” the Pell City Police Department posted online. “We have taken each threat on social media seriously and we are here to protect your children and everyone else in the City of Pell City. Hopefully, we will find the anonymous person who has chosen to disrupt our community and apprehend them for those threats on social media. Thank you for your support!”

The investigation is ongoing to find the individual responsible for the online threat, which police believe may not have originated in Pell City.

On Tuesday morning Mayor Bill Pruitt visited Pell City High School (PCHS) to speak with Principal Tony Dowdy, Barber, members of the Pell City School Board and the police department.

 “…What we observed looked nothing like the picture being painted. I saw a bunch of kids heading into school and living their lives. I saw black kids and white kids walking together, laughing together, and determined not to let the outside world tell them who they are. We were greeted by parents, black and white, concerned about their children and bearing no tolerance for the current situation,” Pruitt said.

“As we stood there observing the morning’s hustle and bustle, we noticed a group gathered in the parking lot. Standing in a circle. Heads bowed. Praying. As the prayers ended and heads were lifted, we saw black faces, we saw white faces, we saw Pell City. Do not let anyone tell you to the contrary.”

The police department, city officials, school faculty and parents are working together to keep the students safe despite the rise in tensions.

“Sure, things have been said. Some of them may have been blown out of proportion. Some of them may have been reactionary and just plain stupid. And some of them may have been intentional and down-right hateful,” Pruitt said.  “Regardless of the intent, we cannot let them dictate who we are. We are a wonderful community, a vibrant community, a caring community.”