CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – An investigation is underway after a racial slur was found in a bathroom at Parkway Central High School.
The message in the photo above has been censored. It is unclear which bathroom the message was found in.
School leaders called the language 'hate speech'. But some students and parents told 5 On Your Side Wednesday's racial epithet is only one example of hostility among students at the school.
“It is still disappointing that they would think it is acceptable and okay to do something really offensive and that has so much bad meaning behind it,” said Laura Coker a Central High School Student.
Coker said she was frustrated but not surprised by the message that was written on the school bathroom mirror.
“It's just like a really bad reminder that there are bad people out there and they think these terrible things,” Coker said.
The school's principal called the incident "a serious violation of the discipline code" in an announcement to students and a letter to parents.
“To write something like that anywhere especially in a school is reprehensible,” said Katherine Lofaro, a Central High student.
After saying the school will investigate the matter, the principal issued an apology to African American students and staff especially for what he called 'hate speech.'
Alexandria Lane Dettwiler, a high school student mom, said she believes race-based hostility is a problem at the school, but she is encouraged by the response.
“I am really happy [the principal] labeled it as hate speech. The school we were at previously had a problem with this at a very high level and that is why we moved here,” she said.
But the students 5 On Your Side spoke with all said the incident is only the most offensive example of ongoing hostility they have experienced toward minorities in the school.
“'You are not white,'” high school senior Susan Duran recalled what she said other students have said to her. “'So are you Mexican? Do you speak Mexican? You should go back to your country', kind of things like that,” she said.
Read the full message sent to students and staff from Principal Tim McCarthy below:
We are dealing with a very serious incident this morning. In a restroom at Central High, someone wrote on the mirrors and used the N word.
This act is a serious violation of our discipline code and an affront to what I believe are the core values of this community. An act such as this is unacceptable.
It is important for all of you to know two things…
First, we will investigate this incident to the best of our ability. If you have information that will help us in our investigation, please see your grade level administrator.
Second, and please listen to me when I say this… As your building principal, actions and speech which degrade an individual’s human dignity; actions and speech which are motivated by hate, not love, have no place in school, they have no place at Central High. I believe the vast majority of our community share my commitment to that ideal.
To all of you, but especially to our African-American students and staff, who for too long have been the target of this type of hate speech, I am deeply sorry this happened today.
Understanding, respect and love need to be our guidepost. Students, know we are here to support you. Thank you for your attention.
