14. Students' reports of being called hate-related words and seeing hate-related graffiti*

A student's exposure to hate-related words or symbols at school can increase his or her feeling of vulnerability. An environment in which students are confronted with discriminatory behavior is not con-ducive to learning and creates a climate of hostility.

• In 1999, about 13 percent of students ages 12 through 18 reported that someone at school had used hate-related words against them (figure 14.1 and table 14.1). That is, in the prior 6 months someone at school called them a derogatory word having to do with race/ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, about 36 percent of students saw hate-related graffiti at school.
• There was very little variation in these percentages based on the location of the students' households (table 14.1). Students in urban, suburban, and rural households were equally as likely to report being called hate-related words and to see hate-related graffiti.
• Females were more likely than males to report being targets of derogatory words and were also more likely to report seeing hate-related graffiti at their school (figure 14.1 and table 14.1). About 14 percent of females reported being called hate words in 1999, compared with 12 percent of males. About 39 percent of females had seen hate-related graffiti, compared with 34 percent of males.
• Black students were more likely than white or Hispanic students to report being called hate words (table 14.1). About 17 percent of black students ages 12 through 18 reported being targets of derogatory words, compared with 13 percent of white students and 12 percent of Hispanic students⁹. Students of all racial/ethnic groups were equally likely to report hate-related graffiti at school.