As a Snapchat screenshot that went viral on Twitter, some students in Texas wanted to hold a slave auction of their classmates of color.
White students at Aledo ISDput prices on other students of color in a group chat called a “n ***** auction.” The incident supposedly happened two weeks ago, according to Fox 4, but the screenshot has brought renewed attention to racism in schools.
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Civil rights lawyer S. Lee Merritt posted the screenshot on Tuesday:
"White students from @AledoISD hosted a slave auction on Snapchat, where they sold their black classmates for between $1 and $100. The racism that pervades our politics, our public safety, our national security, is being nurtured in our schools," Merritt said.
In the photo, a student says that another student is worth $1 because "he would be better if his hair wasn't so bad."
The school notified parents about the incident via email, which it described as "cyberbullying," according to NBC, initially ignoring the racial slurs that took place.
As one teacher explained to NBC, trying to justify the school's initial statement, "It softens the blow for those who may feel uncomfortable with the discussion around racism.".
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Twitter users, for their part, are criticizing the screenshot as a clear indication of racism.
"Throw them away," said one Twitter user.
"Unmask their names. Expel every student who participates. No one cares about their parents who taught them to be disgusting racists – racism is not hereditary. Or whether expelling them will harm their prospects in life," said another.
"I can't even fathom it," said one account.
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According to NBC, the school's superintendent eventually issued a new statement condemning the racism of the project in question, saying it had no place in the school community.
