‘Hateful and inappropriate’: Chester County school officials investigating racist video

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — District representatives said they are investigating a video that started to circulate among Chester County students this week that shows a racist conversation between two students.

In a message to parents, Chester County’s school district said they have been made aware of the video and are looking into it to determine if disciplinary action is needed.

The district said the two students in the video attend Lewisville High School.

“Any harassment or language that disparages any race will not be tolerated,” school officials said.

Channel 9 has chosen not to share the video due to its offensive nature.

There were extra police on campus Friday and talks about protests by students who said they were offended by the video.

Parent Cynthia Robinson said she was outraged after watching the video.

“Yes, I was very upset, very,” she said.

Robinson said that she complained to the principal about students using racial slurs in her daughter’s classroom.

“It was being said in class,” she said. “They were being referred to as “monkeys” and stuff like that and it really was bothering her a lot.”

The district’s statement sent to parents is below:

“The Chester County School District is aware of a video spreading through social media depicting two LHS students engaging in a conversation that was deemed hateful and inappropriate. School and district administrators are currently investigating the situation, and will take disciplinary action in accordance with CCSD policy.

“The Chester County School District fosters a safe learning environment that is welcoming to all people regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation. Any harassment or language that disparages any race will not be tolerated.

“The District wishes to thank our community for their continued patience and understanding.”

Robinson said that she is grateful the situation is being addressed but hopes the district will do something to bring healing, unity and education.

“They need to sit down and have a conversation, really, because they’re young, best years of life,” Robinson said. “They need to be getting along and having fun and getting through high school.”

There was not a protest on Friday.

The superintendent said the district is looking into the deeper root causes of this behavior, so that leaders can bring about change.

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