WASHINGTON — Reaction has been swift after a white Howard County, Maryland high school student’s videotaped disparaging of the Black Lives Matter movement spread quickly online.
Howard County’s school superintendent sent a message to parents Thursday, about an incident recorded at a party, involving students from Mt. Hebron High School, in Ellicott City.
“The message was a call to action for our parents, after we learned of a video that was going viral, with one of our students making very hateful … and demeaning comments,” Renee Foose told WTOP.
The 30-second video, recorded by the boy’s friends, included “Who the <expletive> cares about some black man who dies … they are an inferior race, OK?”
“The hurtful words about race and the misuse of social media is not acceptable,” said Foose. “We’re trying to teach our students the harm this kind of language can have on others.”
The potential harm caused by acting out in the age of smartphone video is discussed often with students, Foose said.
“The footprint that social media leaves is forever — everything is being recorded, everything will stay with you,” said Foose. “What seems to be fun and games … if it’s captured on any kind of digital recording, and becomes part of social media, it’s going to follow you forever.”
Foose has encouraged parents and students to delete the video, and not share it further.
“I completely believe we should not contribute to the problem by spreading this type of hate,” said Foose.
The student has apologized on his Facebook page.
“It was racist ignorant and overall an awful thing to say and to do,” he wrote. “I am learning from this mistake and hope to gain forgiveness from those who I hurt with my words.”
Foose said the school system will address the issue with the young people and their parents, when school resumes next week.
“We expect the principal is going to have conferences with all of the youth involved, and their parents, as soon as possible,” says Foose.
