Utah high school students spark outrage after wearing blackface at blackout-themed football event

A pair of Utah high school students sparked outrage after wearing what appeared to be “blackface” at a “blackout-themed” football event.

Edward Wright, whose daughter attends Pine View Secondary School in St George, said the two boys were even celebrated for their “spirit” in the game.

The angry father criticised the school for the “racist” display and said the teacher posted the image on social media.

“This shit is ridiculous,” Wright wrote online. “And the picture was posted by a teacher who teaches at the school – great message.”

‘Pine View High School, you need to do better. If my daughter is old enough to experience racism, your daughter is old enough to learn about it.’

However, other parents defended the boys, saying they were painted black like a panther, their team’s mascot, in line with the game’s theme.

The photo in question shows two students surrounded by cheerleaders, one with his face completely painted and the other with paint all over his face except for the mouth and chin area.

Several parents commented on Wright’s social media posts to condemn the southwestern Utah school, but others defended the students, saying they were only painted in the school’s color, which is black, to support the players.

“This is a blackout game… like when everyone dresses up and paints themselves black, the school color, to show their support,” one parent wrote.

She added that her daughter was on the cheerleading squad pictured and is planning to “get knocked out at the next game with no coverage.”

“I can’t wait to hear how we are racist for supporting our kids and our school,” he added. “Fuck bro, where exactly is the love and tolerance?”

But others disagreed. “What the hell are they doing? What was the point of this? This is horrible!” wrote one horrified neighbour.

“It’s time for some decency and education. I’m very sorry for the lack of respect,” another person commented.

Wright followed up his original post by urging Pine View to educate the students involved, adding that the “blacked-out face” was not an isolated incident.

“It’s more than just kids painting their faces black at a football game,” Wright wrote.

‘Again, this has been going on for years, so this is not an isolated situation.

‘Please be swift and precise with accountability to ensure it doesn’t happen again. No one should have to endure something like this in a place they call home.’

Wright added in an interview with KuTV Television that his anger was directed at the school, and not at the students in the photograph.

“You could have patted these young people on the shoulder, whispered in their ear and let them know the meaning of this,” Wright said.

‘We all make mistakes, but in this age of social media and being always connected, there’s no way people won’t know about it.

“I firmly believe that ignorance is no excuse.”

Wright added that school officials should have addressed the incident immediately.

“We need to act when the problem arises, not wait. I think it was a missed opportunity to educate,” he said.

The Weber County School District, which oversees Pine View, issued a statement apologizing for the incident.

“We work hard to create a space where all students can feel safe,” the district said.

‘We are disheartened by what happened and apologize to our students and community for any offense that may have been caused by this incident.

‘This shouldn’t have happened!

‘While our staff receives hours of training to prevent bullying, harassment, and create a safe environment for all students, we recognize that we must do more to ensure that every student feels safe and valued in our schools.

‘We are creating school teams that will work with teachers and staff to help make strategic changes that will improve culture and climate at the school level.

“We are committed to a process of continuous improvement. It is something we have continually done and will continue to do to help our students feel safe.”