Lynching image sent as prom proposal
Snapchat picture latest in string of racially charged incidents
Another controversial prom proposal involving a Los Gatos student surfaced last week in the form of a Snapchat photo of an image of a black figure hanging from a rope tied to a tree limb.
The Los Gatos High School newspaper, El Gato News, ran an image of the “promposal” poster that used a racial slur in asking a student if she wanted to “hang at prom.”
El Gato News obscured the slur in the image.
An accompanying article said a junior boy asked a sophomore girl to the prom in front of a group of friends before taking a picture of the poster and sending it to her on Snapchat and Instagram. The pair ended up not attending the prom together, the newspaper said.
The first incident occurred May 12, when a senior wearing blackface makeup posted photos of himself on Instagram and sent them to a girl he invited to the prom. That teen ultimately said he was “sorry for offending people.”
As a result of that controversy, Los Gatos High School Principal Kristi Grasty sent a letter to parents May 24 calling the prom proposal “racially offensive and contrary to the values of inclusion and belonging that are integral to the school culture at Los Gatos High School.”
In the wake of the latest incident, Grasty sent the following email Friday to the Los Gatos WeeklyTimes:
“As a school we stand for values of respect, inclusion, belonging, and kindness which are integral to the school culture at Los Gatos High School. Messages that promote hate and racism are never acceptable.
“Regarding student conduct, students involved in cases are entitled to full confidentiality, and as a school we cannot comment on specifics including consequences. Furthermore, we are guided by Education Code, federal laws and suggested policies as administered by the Office of Civil Rights.
“Los Gatos High School will be continuing our partnership with PassageWorks, a professional development organization that supports the creation of relationship-based classrooms that are inclusive and that help students develop compassion, respectful character, and a deeper connection to the world around them. We will be sending staff members to culturally responsive educational training this summer provided by this organization.
We would also like to share that Los Gatos High School is partnering with Dr. Nancy Dome, Founder and CEO of Epoch Education. Dr. Dome is a renowned provider of professional development for educators around themes of equity, acceptance, and cultural diversity. Beginning in Fall 2017, using a “Train-the-Trainers” model, she will provide equity training to student and staff leaders who will serve as ambassadors, while concurrently working with other stakeholders for positive impact in the school. Ultimately, our trained ambassadors will deliver future trainings for students and the school, focused on community building, compassionate dialogue, and cultural sensitivity, to ensure that we continue to provide a safe, respectful, and positive school experience for all students and staff. We believe that this partnership with Dr. Dome and Epoch Education will also assist us in addressing recent incidents. More information regarding Epoch Education can be found on the organization’s website: https://epocheducation. com.
As a result of these incidents, the Los GatosMonte Sereno Police Department is expected to have a stepped up presence at tonight’s graduation exercises, scheduled for 6 p.m., according to school officials.