Parents began contacting Scripps affiliate ABC15 in Phoenix on Friday about a photo that was apparently taken by a group of students at Desert Vista High School and then posted on social media.
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Jill Hanks with the Tempe Union High School District says that the girls will face disciplinary action.
“This hurtful use of a racial slur is a complete disregard for the dignity of the black community in Arizona and across the nation”, the petition reads.
Baca on Monday clarified the girls did not receive a 5 day school suspension as others have reported.
Dr. Anna Battle, assistant superintendent of district operations for the school district, said the offensive photo resulted from a game of “human Scrabble” after seniors gathered for a panoramic photo with the message “Best You’ve Seen Class of 2016” with an asterisk between each word.
But regardless of the original message or the one shown in the photo parents, other students and the internet was outraged.
What do you think about the Desert Vista High School senior girls spelling out the N-word with their shirts? It was sent on an app called Snapchat. “I have love for everyone in my heart”. “I am not a racist and I’m asking everyone for forgiveness to me”.
The superintendent of the district would not say exactly what discipline was or will be handed down to the students, but said thus far, they have been suspended for more than five days. The school’s Black Student Union tweeted out a message with the hashtag #thunderstrong.
“I have come here to say that I am incredibly, incredibly sorry”, she said according to AZ Family. While we don’t discuss individual discipline, we can tell you that in addition, the obvious need for sensitivity training will be addressed.
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DVTMI does not condone the actions and behaviors of these students today.
