Squad of high school students under investigation for racist, viral Instagram photo

By Fusion Staff | October 12, 2016 | 6:53pm

Latest

A group of students at Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, PA, are under investigation by the school after a photo purportedly depicting students holding a sign reading, “You Stupid Nigger” was posted on Instagram.

The Instagram photo has since been deleted. According to the Department of Education, as of the 2013–2014 school year, 8% of Central Dauphin High students are black, while 76% are white.

Most Popular

The Central Dauphin School District said in a statement to The Patriot-News that they were “aware of the offensive racist post on social media by students who attend Central Dauphin High School.”

“First and foremost, this type of speech and behavior contradicts the principles and core beliefs of equity, humanity, and dignity that we try to teach our students,” they wrote. “We have begun an investigation to determine the facts of the case and the appropriate disciplinary response.”

Central Dauphin did not immediately respond to Fusion’s request for comment.

On Twitter, two purported students who appeared to be in the picture posted apologies, denied knowing that the sign one student was holding contained racist language.

“I was standing outside the car and posed for a picture oblivious to what was truly going on and from the bottom of my heart I apologize,” wrote one student.

Neither could be reached for further comment.

There’s been a surge of racist social media posts from college students in recent weeks, coming from places like Kansas State, Belmont University, and Albright College.

A sophomore at Central Dauphin told The Patriot-News that some students were planning to wear all-black to school on Thursday as part of a “peaceful protest.”

Michael Rosen is a reporter for Fusion based out of Oakland.