On the first day of an Oklahoma high school’s spirit week, a group of students ruined all the fun of homecoming by using their costumes to send a hateful message.
Everyone knows how Spirit Week goes. Every day, students have a different theme to dress up for like “Opposite Day” or “Superhero Day.” Well, last week, students at Tishomingo High School were encouraged to participate in Scrabble Day by wearing a black t-shirt so they can receive a random Scrabble tile, according to The Okahoman. However, a few students thought it was witty to employ their letters to send a disgusting message. Six non-Black students (including a white boy with dreads???) were captured in a photo wearing their letter which they arranged to spell out the N-word.
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The photo was posted to a Johnston County Facebook group where a woman wrote the students in the picture were football players and were allegedly getting a slap on the wrist for displaying the racial slur.
“I know this is a small town, but this is coming from our young people. General influence. We should be beyond this!” the post read.
By the following Thursday, the report says Tishomingo Public Schools Superintendent Brandon Moreland issued an apology in a statement, condemning the incident.
“Racism and discrimination, in any form, will never be tolerated or accepted on our campus and is not reflective of the values of our students, school, or community. Our student body and staff include community members from all backgrounds, races, and religions, which is one of many aspects that makes our campus exceptional,” read his statement.
In another notice sent out that afternoon after classes, students were informed that the grand finale of their homecoming activities including a parade and football game were going to be canceled due to “safety and security concerns.”
The incident circulated the state so rapid, Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt released a statement in response to the incident.
“There’s no place for hate in Oklahoma, let alone in our schools. Those responsible should be held accountable and Governor Stitt hopes that the Tishomingo community and all Oklahomans will take this opportunity to evaluate the way they speak to each other and choose dignity over contempt,” read the statement from the governor’s office.
It’s unclear exactly what happened to the kids involved but Superintendent Moreland said immediate disciplinary action was taken.
