Philadelphia high school students under investigation over blackface video including racist taunts

A group of white students in Philadelphia is under investigation, and some are facing expulsion, after a viral video — sent to Black classmates — appeared to show them spray-painting their faces black and spewing derogatory remarks about Black stereotypes and Black History Month.

The video, which began circulating on social media earlier this week, appears to include four girls, three of whom were identified as students from St. Hubert Catholic High School. The fourth was identified by Franklin Towne Charter High School as a former student. The clip shows one girl spraying another girl’s face with black paint.

The girl spraying shouts, “You’re a Black girl. You know your roots, it’s February!”

She goes on to say, “You’re nothing but a slave. After this, you’re doing my laundry.”

“I’m Black and I’m proud!” the girl being sprayed yells.

A third girl is seen in the background, recording the incident on what appears to be the social media platform Snapchat.

In another video shared online, a white girl can be seen wearing a do-rag and saying, “I got the do-rag on, I got the power to say [N-word].”

A Black parent told CNN that the video, which was recorded off school property and after school hours, was sent to his daughter, who attends the Catholic school, and to his niece, as well as to other Black students at St. Hubert. Ken Gavin, communications chief for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said the video was “generally released on social media … not to a targeted audience.”

'Mortal sin'

The archdiocese described the incident as “racially charged” and said the matter is being “actively investigated.”

"As a Catholic educational institution that seeks to form Women of Faith and Integrity, we view racism as a mortal sin. There is no place for it in our hearts and minds and there is no tolerance for such behavior at Saint Hubert's,” the school said in a statement. “We are extremely disappointed to learn that anyone associated with Saint Hubert's would act in such a manner, which is entirely inconsistent with our values.”

The archdiocese said in a statement obtained by Yahoo News that it is using this opportunity to make it “abundantly clear that there is no place for hate, racism, or bigotry at Saint Hubert’s or in any Catholic school. It is not acceptable under any circumstances or at any time. The use of any racial epithet is inconsistent with our values to treat all people with charity, decency, and respect.

“We recognize and understand that the actions of these students have reopened societal wounds in a deeply painful way,” the statement continued. “Those allegedly responsible are not present in school and are being disciplined appropriately. The school and the Office of Catholic Education are conducting an ongoing review. Should that process determine involvement by any other students, they will also face disciplinary action.”

Franklin Towne Charter High School released its own statement, saying: “We want to again take this opportunity to condemn this type of hateful behavior and condemn anyone involved in it.

“Franklin Towne is a school that values inclusion and will not tolerate hate in any manner. The former student who took part in this video and any other students who may choose to participate in this type of behavior have no place at our school. The content of this video does not reflect the values and culture of our Towne family."

Catherine Hicks, the president of the NAACP’s Philadelphia branch, called the incident “extremely disheartening,” especially during the observance of Black History Month.

“The video showing the egregious acts of Philadelphia Archdiocese white female students spray-painting a young lady’s face black is totally unacceptable,” Catherine Hicks, the president of the local branch, said in a statement. “To say the act was done in gest [sic] is not only appalling but shows us the continued cycle of racism that we are constantly fighting against.”

Hicks told Yahoo News that the NAACP branch plans to work with the NAACP branch at Temple University.

She explained: "This is one of the reasons why having Black history taught in the schools is so important, because we want to make sure they're educated.

“This has to be a learning lesson for Black History Month … [to] learn about what the meaning of being a slave was for us, and why it is such a sensitive topic,” Hicks said.

Parents push for reform

Parents and demonstrators protested outside St. Hubert on Wednesday morning with signs reading “No more racism,” “Condemn and confront white supremacy” and "Prejudice creates pain."

One parent, Nikole Hines, whose daughter once attended St. Hubert, says the claims are not too far removed from what her daughter experienced as a student.

"A lot of microaggressions, pulling on her hair. And laugh about it — video it," Hines told local news outlet WPVI.

"I want reform,” she said. “They have to do something. This cannot continue, whether the school remains here or not."

St. Hubert has shut down for in-person classes and said students will learn remotely for the rest of the week. The archdiocese said that “reactionary general threats” have been made against the school community in the wake of the video.

“All threats against any school are taken seriously, and they were immediately reported to law enforcement,” Gavin said. “We are grateful to the Philadelphia Police Department for their strong presence on the St. Hubert campus today, as well as their ongoing guidance.”

The students involved are facing disciplinary action. The archdiocese communications chief said the behavior “calls for a minimum of suspension and counseling and a maximum of expulsion.”