A video clip of a California middle school vice principal telling a group of children he didn’t like the black students at the school is sparking outrage, the New York Daily News reports.
The clip began circulating the web last Friday, after a group of African-American students from Fresno’s Scandinavian Middle School filmed vice principal Joe DiFilippo’s offensive comment. After asking him who he didn’t like at the school, the 18-year educator quips, “I just don’t like the black kids.”
Students and parents surrounded the school Tuesday chanting “I love black people” and “black power,” after it was announced DiFilippo was suspended on paid leave. Parents also expressed concern about DiFilippo’s actions and other racial tension that might happen behind closed doors at the school.
“It makes me question what (my stepson) has been experiencing this whole past year — and there has been other things that have been raised to my attention of what goes on at this school,” the unidentified mother said just off campus.
School spokesman Jed Chernabaeff released a statement confirming a thorough investigation will take place. The district also confirmed that the investigation will be completed by an outside party.
“Fresno Unified takes great pride in providing a positive learning environment for all students and staff,” Chernabaeff told the Daily News in an email. “The interaction between the Scandinavian student and our employee has been brought to our attention and we are conducting an investigation. Fresno Unified takes this matter very seriously and we will take any necessary actions pending the results.”
The school, which houses a total of 400 plus students, has a large Hispanic population and an 11 percent African-American presence. In a matter of days, the clip has gotten over 100,000 views.
SOURCE: NY Daily Times
No comments:
Post a Comment