KKK Robes In Class Cause Controversy, But Not Punishment

A group of students at a Las Vegas school wore KKK robes in the classroom for a presentation on US History. Several parents complained about the incident, but the school is standing behind the teacher.

According to The Daily Caller, the incident occurred at Las Vegas Academy, a performing arts magnet school, earlier this month. Photos of the KKK robes from the class performance quickly circulated around social media, and several parents wrote letters to the school complaining about racial insensitivity.

Principal Scott Walker said that the incident was “unfortunate.”

Walker said:

“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 … 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,”

The Las Vegas Sun reports that the teacher will not be disciplined for the incident. Amanda Fulkerson, a school district spokesperson, said that the teacher, who was not identified, was “reminded of policy” after the incident.

Fulkerson said:

“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 … We expect the attention to this event will remind all teachers the policy exists only to protect them.”

Las Vegas Academy found its self in a similar controversy last year. One incident involved students saying the N-word during a production of Huckleberry Finn and another involved a theater performance where students dressed up as Adolph Hitler.

Do you think KKK robes should be allowed in class during historical performances? Or did the Las Vegas Academy cross the line?

[Image Via Wikipedia]