Two students at a high school in Las Vegas wore Ku Klux Klan (KKK) robes into their classroom for a history presentation. It was revealed on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, that the teacher that allowed them to do this will not face any disciplinary action whatsoever.
The Las Vegas Sun reports that the incident happened at the Las Vegas Academy onn Jan. 9, 2013. It is a magnet high school that specializes in performing arts, and the assignment asked students to demonstrate their knowledge of American history by writing a research paper or performing a theatrical piece or even a first-person narrative.
The two juniors in question, their names have not been released by school officials, chose to dress in KKK costumes including the white robes, hoods, and more. Their assignment and request was approved by the teacher, who also has not been identified by the school.
Outside of class is where things went wrong when one of the students put on the KKK outfit and a picture was taken of them in it. The picture hit social media sites and news spread quickly to the community.
Two days after, Las Vegas Academy principal Scott Walker sent out a letter to parents:
"While the presentation was designed to highlight the atrocities committed by the Klan, and there was no intention to harm or offend on the part of the students, it was in poor judgment and inappropriate for students to go to such lengths to convey their message," Walker wrote.
"We are deeply sorry for this offensive incident and appreciate your support and cooperation as we use these events as teachable moments about cultural and historical understanding," he added.
Walker said that an assessment of "internal procedures" at the high school was ongoing and the impact of lesson plans would be discussed with staff members.
School district spokesperson Amanda Fulkerson said that both students and the teacher got a "constructive talking-to," but suffered no punishment.
"The student in this case has been counseled and the teacher has been reminded of the policy in place to notify the principal of potentially controversial lessons," Fulkerson explained in a statement. "We expect the attention to this event will remind all teachers the policy exists only to protect them."
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