Middle School Vice Principal Suspended For ‘Joke’: ‘I Just Don’t Like The Black Kids’

A middle school vice principal in California has been suspended for a racist comment captured on a student’s smart phone.

Originally posted on YouTube, the video shows a student at Scandinavian Middle School, in Fresno, ask Vice Principal Joseph Defillipo:

?Who at this school do you not like??

Defillipo’s response has gotten him into a good deal of hot water. His response:

?I just don’t like the black kids.?

Parent of another Scandinavian Middle School student, Latricia Medley, told Action News after seeing the YouTube video:

?I was like, shocked. Why would you want to put something like that on camera in front of a bunch of kids??

When asked if Medley thought Defillipo was making a poor attempt at humor, she responded:

?That’s not a joke. That’s not a very funny joke.?

Of course, that’s nothing to say to a middle school child, even in jest, especially in such a role as vice principal. And unfortunately, word has naturally gotten all over school about it, and beyond.

What kind of impression might that leave on the children in that school? Most of the school, abc13.com reports, ?seemed to have already downloaded it on their phones.? Students across campus were heard repeating Defillipo’s words in shock, offense, and defiance.

The Fresno Unified School District says it is not taking the matter lightly. ABC reports the school district issued the following statement to WPVI-TV:

“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. During our investigation, and as a matter of practice, the employee is on paid administrative leave.”

Medley claims she’s been party to many conversations with Defillipo and he never presented himself as racist. She’s just stunned, however, at the video she’s seen online.

In the end, Defillipo’s response that it was a “joke” just doesn’t settle right with Medley no matter how you look at it.

?I think he should be fired. Why should we have to have our kids overseen by someone that don’t like them??

Defillipo remains on paid administrative leave while the school district sorts the matter out.

 

H/T: abc13.com | Featured image: via abc13.com screengrab