Washington County School District released a statement Friday afternoon after a racist image involving Hurricane High School students surfaced on social media.

The district said the image, which popped up on social media websites like Snapchat and Twitter, was brought the attention of administrators on the evening of May 16.

The district said the photo involves students and non-student adults, and "although this incident did not take place on school grounds or happen during school time, it does not minimize our abhorrence of this racist act."

The image shows three individuals in front of a Confederate flag. One person is standing behind two of the others who are on their knees. The person in the back is wearing a hood that resembles those often used by the Ku Klux Klan.  The two in the front appear to be wearing blackface. The image was posted with the caption that included a racial slur. It read "N**** hunting 2019. I'm glad I could fill my tags this year." 

The district released the following statement in response Friday:

Words of disgust and sadness are insufficient to describe our feelings regarding the image that was brought to our attention the evening of May 16. This repulsive photo does not represent the concern, love and care of Washington County School District. Although this incident did not take place on school grounds or happen during school time, it does not minimize our abhorrence of this racist act.

The photo involves students and non-student adults. Appropriate discipline for the students involved began immediately. Yet no level of discipline can repair the hate, bigotry and ugliness portrayed in that one picture. The vulgar ignorance and idiocy on display are beyond repair by any small discipline we can provide. We have welcomed officials from local and federal law enforcement to review the offending photo for potential criminal violations. We are also consulting with legal counsel as we consider additional administrative actions.

As an educational institution, we will continue to teach! We will teach of love, kindness and inclusion; of respect for the fellow human beings that share our neighborhoods, our communities and the hallways in our schools. We will remind students that there is absolutely no room for the intolerance, and hatred displayed in this image. Finally, as district administrators, we are considering what education would be helpful for students to understand the significance of civil rights protections and violations, as well as appropriate use of social media.

Two students do not represent the views of the nearly 32,000 students, nor of the staff and teachers in our schools throughout Washington County School District. While we are sickened by this photo, we will move forward with love as we further educate our students.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The photo was edited to remove profanity and faces of the individuals involved. 

Story provided by our News Partners at ABC 4 News.

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