Tamalpais High School investigates students over bigoted photo
The image of a girl with a racist slur and a swastika written on her face surfaced in school and on social media.
At least two Tamalpais High School students are under investigation over a photo that surfaced in school and on social media of a girl with a racist slur and a swastika written on her face, officials said.
The girl, who is also a Tam High student, is not under investigation and apparently had no idea about the photo or the markings, said Kimberly Clissold, principal of the Mill Valley school.
The girl did not give her consent for the photo or to have it circulated on social media, Clissold said.
“Pending the findings of multiple investigations underway, including into the picture, social media postings of the picture, and direct threats via messaging and recordings, appropriate progressive support measures and disciplinary actions will be implemented for any students who generate or share the photo in a harassing or threatening manner,” Clissold said in public letter on Tuesday.
Clissold said the photo was created at the home of one of the students two weeks ago. Multiple Tam High students are suspected of involvement, as well as students from other schools.
Tamalpais High School was notified on Monday when a student showed the photo to a teacher, Clissold said.
“We are taking this incident very seriously, as it goes against our steadfast dedication to fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment and perpetuates anti-Blackness and antisemitism within our campus,” Clissold said in the letter.
The investigation focuses on the Tam student who allegedly drew the markings on the girl, allegedly with at least one student from another school, and a second Tam High student who allegedly posted the photo on social media, Clissold said. The probe is also looking into other students who might have been involved.
“We share these details so that everyone understands the words and images depicted are awful,” Clissold said in a letter to students Tuesday. “They violate our school’s commitment to being a safe and inclusive community for all.”
Clissold, citing confidentiality, declined to comment on specifics about potential disciplinary procedures.
Bettie Hodges, a community leader in Marin City and a member of a new committee to address racist incidents at Tam High and other Marin schools, called the incident “sick.”
“The current incident, while sadistic and vile, will not disrupt the work of the task force,” Hodges said in an email. “It does suggest that Whites in Marin have to come to grips with the fact that racism and sadism is not isolated but is deeply embedded in our society and the psyche of some White youth.”
Hodges, executive director of the Hannah Project, an educational program for Marin City youths, said the committee was formed in response to an incident in October in which a video with a racial slur was circulated among students at the high school.
Hodges, who said she was speaking only for herself and not for Marin’s entire Black community, said the question of what to do about the repeated racist incidents must be addressed in conjunction with White families.
“It should be put to the White community — to White parents,” Hodges said. “What are you going to do about the behavior of your children? What kind of children are you raising?”