Six students at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Ariz. have apparently been suspended five days for an idiotic stunt they pulled on Friday. After taking a panoramic photo in which members of the senior class wore t-shirts that spelled “BEST * YOU’VE * EVER * SEEN * CLASS * OF * 2016,” six of the girls thought it would be just damn hilarious to line up for another picture that said… well…
It doesn’t take a scholar to figure out the implication in the image. Just look at Mom Jeans (third from the left). She can’t seem to contain herself, the hilarity is so strong.
Juxtaposing their elation is practically the rest of the world, who not only don’t find their efforts funny, but have also barbed their disgust. Jill Hanks, the executive director of community relations for Tempe Union High School District said in an emailed statement to ABC15:
“We are absolutely aware and outraged by this behavior. The students will be disciplined in accordance with district policy and while we don’t discuss specific discipline I can tell you that will be addressing the obvious need for sensitivity training in this case.”
Temple Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca released a statement saying that it is “unacceptable for any racial slur to be used regardless of intent” and that “appropriate disciplinary action will be taken” in regards to the students.
Desert Vista High School Principal Dr. Christine Barela also made a statement to the families of Desert Vista students. She said the school shares their “outrage and disappointment” over what happened and sought to “make it crystal clear those actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” She also made sure to point out that the actions of those six girls “do not represent who [they] are as a campus.”
Dr. Barela also stated that “as a precaution, Phoenix Police will be increasing security at and around Desert Vista,” presumably because school personnel are in fear that their black students are going to “get all uppity” and loot the gym. I mean, why else would the school request increased police presence in the aftermath of a dumb racist prank?
This is just the reaction from those who were there. Compared to how social media handled the incident, school officials were pretty kind.
Kids need to be educated. Though a 5 day suspension isn't enough, ignorance breeds ignorance.
— Mega Ran on Tour (@MegaRan) January 23, 2016
Racism will never die as long as its tolerated at schools like #DesertVistaHigh…please tell me what a 5 day suspension is gonna do ??
— Beto4Senate (@_xoallyse) January 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/jams_aqt/status/690631081868001280
We get a 5 day suspension just for being late to lunch. https://t.co/Ps8iy0W5Xj
— Keion Wakefield (@BoobieWake11) January 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/sedrakurdi/status/690941768347598849
Suffice it to say, I’m fairly certain that understanding of white privilege was behind the creation of this:
“This hurtful use of a racial slur is a complete disregard for the dignity of the black community in Arizona and across the nation and the punishment does not fit the total ignorance and cruelty of the crime. We demand the resignation of the school’s principal, Christine Barela, immediately for deeming this 5-day vacation from school and acceptable punishment. The six girls in question need to be expelled from the high school and its district to understand the gravity of their actions to the fullest. These expressions of racism will not be tolerated any longer.”
A Change.org petition was created in response to seemingly insufficient action from school administrators and district representatives. At the time of this writing, the petition is rapidly approaching its 25,000 signature goal.
Even though the 5-day suspension has many up in arms, perhaps it is an acceptable degree of punishment for a stupid prank perpetrated by a set of basic white girls? This picture is going to follow them around for the rest of their lives, likely viewed by not only collegiate administrators, but also prospective employers. Hell, it may even permeate into their social lives, hindering their chances at building meaningful relationships.
They will be haunted by this idiot prank for the rest of their lives. While it may seem appealing to throw the book at them, in my view, it doesn’t promote justice. Zero-tolerance is all fine and wonderful and good, but will expulsion and an administrator’s resignation actually have any kind of meaningful impact? This is the same kind of retributive, deontological thinking that advocates for capital punishment and, in some cultures, severing a hand for theft.
Perhaps it makes more sense to take a rehabilitative approach? I mean, I’m sure many have scoffed at the emphasis on “sensitivity training” these girls are likely to receive, but perhaps that would actually do the trick? Perhaps a black mark on their school records, a black mark by society, and education regarding why their prank was reprehensible might be enough to curb them from doing shit like this in the future?
