Investigation launched into video of students wearing blackface, saying n-word

School officials will open an investigation into the conduct of several students seen on a video saying the n-word, the Enterprise reported.

In response to the incident, school administration at East Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School held assemblies Monday morning to discuss the incident and what steps will be taken moving forward, said Superintendent Liz Legault.

“This will not be a one and done discussion,” she wrote in an email Monday.

At the assembly, they talked about issues like respect, appreciation for differences others have, and their responsibilities when using technology and social media.

The central office plans to work with building administration from all of the schools to host events for students and the school community relating to what happened, Legault said.

The video, which began circulating online Friday, came from the social media app SnapChat. It begins with a male student with a painted black face saying, “What’s up, my n—–?”

The video pans to two other students, a boy and a girl, who look at the camera and repeat the n-word.

Toward the end of the nine-second video, a female student can be heard saying, “I hate that.”

At least five teenagers can be seen in the video, but not all of them speak.

In addition to the student with his face painted, two were seen with bandanas covering their mouths.

The district has not identified the students and whether they attend the Junior-Senior High.

Legault said the incident happened off campus.

“The District does not condone the statements or actions of the individuals portrayed in that video,” she said in a Saturday statement sent to parents. “Such statements and actions are against the core values of our District and our community.”

Building administration handles investigations into student misconduct.

The principal decides whether students will face disciplinary action, which could include loss of privileges like participating in extracurricular activities or attending school events or suspension, according to district policy.

Before suspension, the principal would hold a hearing with the student and parents to hear information about alleged misconduct and to give the student a chance to dispute and explain what happened, according to district policy.

From the hearing, the principal will determine whether the student committed a disciplinary offense and what the consequence should be.

Some residents who viewed or learned about the video over the weekend called it “disgusting,” “shameful,” and “awful” in comments on Facebook.

Several parents shared incidents of racism and ignorance their children have experienced. Others wrote about their firsthand experience as a minority in town and in East Bridgewater schools.

*story by WCVB News