Michigan Man Hurls Racist Remarks at School Meeting

A meeting called to discuss concerns about diversity and acceptance at schools in Saline, Michigan, turned ugly after video captured a man making a racist comment toward another parent.

Adrian Iraola was sharing a story with the other parents and administrators at the meeting about how other students were taunting his son with names like "taco," "enchilada," and "dirty Mexican. Iraola, who is Latino, talked about how the name-calling had left his son in tears while he was in high school and fueled his ambition to earn a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.

"I remember when I went to his bedroom, to say good night, and he was crying because of the abuse that he was enduring in this school system," Iraola said. Then a voice can be heard calling out, interrupting him.

"Then why didn't you stay in Mexico?" another parent, identified by Ann Arbor News/MLive.com as Tom Burtell, could be heard asking Iraola at the school meeting.

Gasps from the other parents could be heard in the video as parents turned to see who made the comment. One person can be heard telling Burtell that he needed to leave.

"That's disgusting," another woman is heard saying.

Another parent, identified as Brian Wright, stood and pointed at Burtell, saying his comments were "indicative of what our kids are experiencing."

Iraola turned back to the audience saying he wanted to respond to Burtell's question.

"He asked me a question. ... 'Why didn't I stay in Mexico?'" Iraola said. "Because this is the greatest country in the world."

The meeting was called in response to a Snapchat group chat between high school football players, in which two teammates had used racial slurs and talked about "WHITE POWER," Ann Arbor News reported.

The school district said in a statement Tuesday that "hate, prejudice, and racism have no place in our schools or our community."

"Yesterday, February 3rd, an individual in the Saline community made racist remarks at a forum directed at one of the parents in our community," Saline Area Schools Superintendent Scot Graden said in a letter to parents. "This type of bigotry goes against all of the values and beliefs of our school system."

"The Saline Board of Education and administration take the issue of student and adult behavior seriously," the statement continued. "We are striving to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all students and families, regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, or any other identity."