Students' racist promposal sign sparks outrage after surfacing on social media: 'Condemn this'
Two students at a California high school will face disciplinary action after they posed with a racist promposal sign, which was shared on social media.
The Palos Verdes High School students held a sign in the photo that read, "You are racist but I would give anything for you to go with me to prom," CBSLA reports. Individual letters throughout the message are bolded, spelling out a racial slur.
Palos Verdes High School Principal Allan Tyner issued a statement to parents with regard to the incident.
"Over the years, students have become very creative with prom invitations and while we encourage fun and creative expression, our District draws the line at offensive and derogatory. We were made aware today by some of our students of an invitation that incorporated a slang term for African-Americans and features two of our high school students. We have been in touch with the identified students and their families to inform them that we are forming a response and we anticipate severe consequences."
The statement continued, "This life lesson is critical and is one that school and home must partner to teach. At the same time, I am heartened by the immediate response by our students and families on social media that make it very clear that our community does not support this behavior."
The high school's prom will be held on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Many students of Palos Verdes High School, as well as parents in the community, shared their outrage regarding the photo online. One mother of a student shared the photo on Twitter on Tuesday, asking parents to contact the high school's administration and "condemn this horrific sensibility."
"Having a [people of color] population that is so minuscule at my school, this affects each and every one of us," one student shared on Twitter. "[I] have been called or heard other of my fellow [African-American] students called these horrid words with no repercussions. [I] expect [Palos Verdes High School] to do better."
Another student made it clear that the two students involved in the photo "do not represent [Palos Verdes High School] and I am sorry this is the way some people are hearing of our school."
This incident is just another in a string of recent racist promposals throughout the country, with offensive signs going viral from Ohio, New York and Los Angeles.
Principal Allan Tyner released the following statement on the school's website: "Today I will be meeting with all students, class by class. We will review appropriate behavior and how the use of hurtful racial slurs like the one used on this recent picture posted on social media is unacceptable. I know that this one unfortunate event does not represent us as a school community.
"Racist words and racist acts have no place in our school community,” the statement said. "We will rise above this, learn from this, and be a better school community because of it."
Allan Tyner did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.
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