A viral picture displaying a number of California excessive schoolers carrying T-shirts that spell out a racial slur has triggered backlash amongst neighborhood members and prompted a response from the college district.
The picture exhibits eight Cabrillo Excessive College college students every carrying shirts bearing one letter or image and standing subsequent to one another in a coordinated trend to spell out “I (coronary heart image) n—s,” with one G.
The picture, which exhibits the scholars inside a gymnasium or auditorium, was taken at a latest senior meeting, in response to the Lengthy Seaside Publish. Nevertheless, it’s unclear who took the image or whether or not faculty workers members witnessed the tableau whereas the picture was being taken.
“I noticed the pic, it’s fairly dangerous. Female and male not one of the youngsters are black and they’re posed with brilliant smiles. It’s unusual,” wrote one resident. “My youngsters confirmed me the image and we have been in disbelief and disillusioned. Such good youngsters that made such a horrible resolution and misplaced scholarships,” one guardian wrote.
In a joint assertion, Cabrillo Excessive College and Lengthy Seaside Unified College District officers known as the picture “disturbing” and “offensive” and added that they’re working with all related events to deal with the incident and guarantee accountability.
“This conduct is unacceptable and doesn’t replicate the values of our college or district. We sincerely apologize for the hurt this has induced to our neighborhood. We need to be clear: such a conduct just isn’t condoned or tolerated at Cabrillo Excessive College or wherever in our district,” the assertion learn.
Addressing the picture’s circulation on social media, the district additionally suggested members of the college neighborhood to “be aware of the hurt that sharing such pictures could cause and encourage open, considerate discussions concerning the affect of their actions.”
Additionally they inspired households to have conversations at house about treating others with dignity and respect and reminded college students to report inappropriate conduct to a trusted grownup.
Related incidents have occurred at different excessive faculties.
Simply final yr, six Oklahoma college students took a photograph throughout their faculty’s spirit week displaying them carrying shirts with letters spelling the N-word. The incident prompted the cancellation of different spirit week actions, the highschool’s homecoming soccer sport, and disciplinary motion towards the scholars concerned.
In 2023, six youngsters at an Idaho highschool additionally took a photograph carrying shirts spelling the N-word and have been seen making obscene, sexual gestures whereas standing over a woman mendacity on the bottom. These college students have been additionally disciplined, in response to faculty officers.
