Wayland Schools Investigating Videos of Students in Blackface Using Racial Slurs
Videos of Wayland Union High School students wearing dark face paint and using racial slurs is being investigated by school officials.
According to WZZM-13 another student reported the videos after viewing them on an acquaintance's Snapchat story over the weekend.
On one video, a female student says, “I’m white, but over here we have a f------ n-word.” She then turns the camera to a girl in blackface, who says, “I knew I was 25 percent black.”
The second video shows a male student in blackface with the text, “I have spotted a n-word.”
Wayland Union Schools Superintendent Norman Taylor released a statement on Tuesday addressing the videos.
"Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members-
It has come to our attention that, over the weekend, some students who are enrolled in our high school engaged in behavior off campus that is considered racially insensitive. We promptly investigated this unfortunate situation and are working with the students involved.
Wayland Union Schools in no way condones racially insensitive behavior and it does not represent the positive values we strive to teach each day.
Each year our students and staff attend an OK2Say assembly to learn about reporting safety threats and the effects of cyber bullying. We also have a tip line on our school app and website where students can report bullying, harassment, threats, and other topics. Our student organizations facilitate activities that promote acceptance and respect for all students. In addition, our staff is trained on bullying and unlawful harassment each year.
Parents please take this opportunity to talk to your children about accepting others and the ramifications of sharing negative comments or actions on social media. We don't condone behavior that makes any student feel uncomfortable or unsafe, this includes the initial act as well as retaliatory comments made afterward by other students, parents, and others.
Please rest assured that this situation is being addressed and the district is doing everything within its authority in this matter. We will continue our work to educate the students involved in this situation, as well as our student body as a whole, on issues related to any kind of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
Norman L. Taylor
Superintendent
Wayland Union Schools "