An investigation into a reported incident of a racial slur at a high school basketball game in Mansfield has concluded with findings that clear fans of the accusation. After a video circulated on social media in February suggesting a fan had used a racial slur while a player from Sharon attempted a free throw, Mansfield School District conducted a thorough review which found no evidence of such an act.
The controversy reached its peak when Jose Fortunado expressed his concerns to Boston 25 News about the negative impact the incident could have on his brother's future in college sports. Fortunado had been in attendance at the game when he heard what he believed to be the slur. "We are all equal, no matter who you are, no matter where you’re from, no matter the color, no matter anything," Fortunado said.
The school district responded by commissioning an external investigation led by Attorney Jeffrey Sankey which included interviews with students and faculty, along with an analysis of the game's audio and video. According to the findings reported by CBS Boston, the chant heard was "Look at me," a common distraction tactic used by fans towards opposing players. "Based on all this information, as corroborated by the scientific analysis of a forensic audio expert, I conclude that there is no credible evidence that the words heard at the basketball game were a racial slur," Sankey's report stated.
Mansfield's Superintendent Teresa Murphy also weighed in on the findings, detailing the conduct of the student section, known as "The Nest." "The Mansfield Public Schools treats reports of this nature with the utmost seriousness and concern," Murphy said, in a statement obtained by Boston 25. She further elaborated on the supportive nature of the students saying, "The Nest, our student section, is always supportive of our student athletes, and they create a fun, positive, enthusiastic environment so that all of us who are fans can enjoy the games."
The investigation's conclusion comes as a relief to the school community which had been clouded by these allegations. With the district's superintendent looking forward, Mansfield High School anticipates the continued vibrant atmosphere of "The Nest" to bolster school spirit as playoff season arrives. Despite the controversy, the audio evidence has been withheld from public release by Boston 25 News with no explanation offered.
