High school students spell n-word on shirts while posing behind mixed-race girl

29 September 2023 , 00:02

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The students posed wearing shirts spelling out a racial slur as a mixed-race girl lay on the floor in front of them (Image: KTVB)

An American high school has come under fire after an image came to light of a group of students spelling out a horrific racial slur on their T-shirts as they stood behind a mixed-race girl.

A student at Salmon High School in Idaho posted the since-deleted photo on Instagram. It showed six kids wearing shirts that spelt out the n-word, standing behind the girl as she lies on the ground.

All seven, including the girl lying in front of them, are holding up their middle fingers. The image has caused uproar, with some parents saying it's indicative of a wider problem at the school.

Dr Troy Easterday, Superintendent for Salmon School District 291, said the students involved had been reprimanded. He said: "The Salmon School District, we do not condone, nor ever have [we], what was expressed in the social media post. Disciplinary action at this time has been taken."

The students were reportedly from Salmon High School in Idaho (Salmon Jr.-Sr. High School/Facebook)

Law enforcement and board members in the district were also notified about the incident. Taking to the Salmon Savages Facebook page, Dr Easterday addressed students and parents, as well as the wider community.

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"I am well aware of the current situation happening within a social media post by our Salmon School District students," he said. "At this time, our administrative team at the Salmon School District is investigating this post and will keep the community aware within the legal confounds of the law."

Concerned parents reached out to local outlet East Idaho News, sharing their concern about whether the students will face punishment. They claimed students of colour are being targeted and bullied at the school.

"The post is disgusting and a hate crime," said one parent, who wished to remain anonymous. She said as the mother of mixed-race children she worries every day.

"My husband is one of two, maybe three African-Americans in this town," she said. "I'm afraid if I said too much it would affect my job or my small business."

The students posed wearing shirts spelling out a racial slur as a mixed-race girl lay on the floor in front of them (KTVB)

Superintendent Dr Troy Easterman took to Facebook to address parents' concerns (Salmon Savages/Facebook)

Another mum shared her concern that the school district won't punish the students. She went as far as to say she is considering pulling her children out of the school district due to the incident.

"The reason why there's hate in this community is because no one does anything about it. Period," she said. "These kids are old enough to know right from wrong. Parents, do better. But you can't blame the parents for this, because some of them are 18. They're adults. It's disturbing."

Dr Easterday stressed that it was the first time he had come across anything like this during his time as the district's Superintendent. He said: "Nothing has ever been brought to my desk that there's ever been a situation like this, and that it hasn't been taken seriously.

"Not while I've been here. Our team did not hesitate to act. We did all the right legal steps to make sure disciplinary action was taken."

Fiona Leishman