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McClatchy HS officials investigating racist video of students in blackface, saying n-word

The district says the use of racially offensive language and behavior will not be tolerated.

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The Sacramento City Unified School District says it is investigating two students accused of posting a video with racial slurs.

The nine-second clip, which appears to be taken from Instagram, shows two teens who appear to be wearing blackface. One of the teens uses the n-word twice.

The district posted a statement from Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jorge Aguilar on the Black Lives Matter Sacramento Facebook page. BLM-Sacramento posted the video, saying it was made by two students at McClatchy High School.

In his statement, Aguilar says he has opened an investigation “to determine which district non-discrimination or related policies were violated, and what steps the district can take to address the behavior exhibited by these students.”

In February 2018, the district launched another investigation at McClatchy High School over a controversial science fair project that questioned if a student's I.Q. correlated to race.

During a regularly scheduled school board meeting Thursday, several board members spoke out about the video saying something needs to happen. Several people spoke during public comment.

"They need to make an example out of these kids and they need to expel them or suspend them," Allegra Taylor, with BYLP Black Youth Leadership Project and The Village Advocates of Sacramento, said. "We are black parents. I'm a black grandmother. I should not have to be doing what we're doing now. We came out of retirement to be advocates because of what's happening to the youth in the city of Sacramento."

Here is the full statement from Aguilar:

Dear Sac City Community,

I am aware that two students from our district posted an inappropriate video over social media using racial slurs and engaging in other racially insensitive behavior. Our district takes very seriously and finds unacceptable the use of racist language and behavior by any student, employee or member of our school community.

The use of racially offensive language or behavior in our schools by anyone does not reflect our values as a school district and will not be tolerated. As our district strongly objects to any racist language or behavior used by any Sac City Unified student or employee, I have opened an investigation into the matter which will be led by the district.

Some of you may have seen the video or are aware of it through social media. As soon as I learned of this incident, I initiated an investigation to determine which district non-discrimination or related policies were violated, and what steps the district can take to address the behavior exhibited by these students. This behavior creates anger and trauma and works against efforts to create the diverse, inclusive, and thriving community that we are striving for. We will address this matter with the seriousness it demands and continue to uphold our values and beliefs focused on advancing equity, access, and social justice.

Thank you to everyone who has reported this matter to my attention. We are fully in the investigative phase of this matter and will continue to work toward promoting a positive and inclusive environment throughout every corner of Sac City.

Sincerely,

Jorge A. Aguilar

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