Race and Education in an American Suburb

<p>Over the past few decades, families have flocked to the affluent Dallas suburb of Southlake for its top-rated school system. But beneath the manicured lawns and gleaming fountains lie something Black families call <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/viral-video-forced-wealthy-texas-suburb-confront-racism-silent-majority-n1255230" target="_blank">“Southlake’s dirty secret."</a></p><p>Less than three years ago, <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/for-2nd-time-this-school-year-video-surfaces-of-carroll-isd-students-using-racial-slur/88/" target="_blank">two videos</a> of white Southlake teenagers saying the N-word went viral within a few months of one another. The videos prompted an outpouring of stories from Black parents and students, detailing their own experiences with racism in Southlake. For a time, it seemed like the town was united in taking action to confront the problem. </p><p>Then came 2020. As the Black Lives Matter movement picked up steam, so did the backlash. And <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/texas-town-in-spotlight-after-parents-push-back-against-diversity-plan-101541957915" target="_blank">that backlash</a> threatened to take over the town of Southlake.</p><p>This story — and what comes next — is the subject of a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/southlake-podcast" target="_blank">new podcast from NBC News called “Southlake.”</a> On this episode of Into America, Trymaine Lee talks with Southlake co-hosts Antonia Hylton and Mike Hixenbaugh about how a group of parents and students tried to confront racism in their schools; but instead, got steamrolled by their own community. </p><p>For a transcript, please visit <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/intoamerica" target="_blank">https://www.msnbc.com/intoamerica</a>. </p><p>Thoughts? Feedback? Story ideas? Write to us at <a href="mailto:intoamerica@nbcuni.com" target="_blank">intoamerica@nbcuni.com</a></p><p><strong>Further Reading and Listening: </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://southlake.simplecast.com/" target