By David Lazenby
Editor
The parent of a Pell City High School student who was in the classroom where a current events conversation broiled into a racially-tinged confrontation last week disputed reports that the conflict began with a student’s refusal to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The mother of a student who was present when the clash began said a history teacher sparked the debate when she sought students’ opinions about recent actions taken by some NFL players and team owners during the playing of The National Anthem.
The Pell City woman, who communicated with The Trussville Tribune only after being guaranteed anonymity, said a black student confronted a white student in the history class on Sept. 27 after he stated his opinion that the NFL protests that began last year when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during performances of the song are disrespectful to the country and its military veterans.
The parent said a verbal confrontation between the two senior students went from the classroom to the social media site Snapchat where it escalated.
She added that it was her understanding that the black student posted on Snapchat a profanity-laced diatribe about the matter, prompting the white student who she commented on to respond with his own Snapchat post, which also contained vulgar language.
On Sept. 29, parents of the black student brought the white student’s Snapchat post to the attention of school administrators, according to the anonymous parent. In response to the complaint, administrators at the school allegedly asked the white student to leave campus and informed him he faced possible suspension. The next day, the principal became aware of the black student’s Snapchat post, resulting in the white student’s suspension being retracted.
Pell City High School Principal Tony Dowdy nor Pell City School System Superintendent Michael Barber could be reached for comment prior to the publication of this report.
The parent, who said she saw the white student’s Snapchat post, says it did not contain a racial slur, as previously reported. She said because the white teen’s post was alleged to have contained racist language, the teen’s family has received death threats recently.
However, a different post from what the parent called a “fake Snapchat account'” did contain racist and threatening language. The anonymous Snapchat post, which threatened racial violence at the school, was apparently in response to a different PCHS student’s Snapchat post depicting the image of a burning American flag.
Pell City Police are reportedly investigating the online threat that warned “We are hanging everyone that comes our way tomorrow after school.” As a precaution, extra police officers were reportedly at the school Thursday.
Pell City Police Chief Paul Irwin could not be reached for comment today in regard to the ongoing probe.
The parent said she believes the teacher was partly at fault for launching the chain of events that led to the threat made on Snapchat this week.
“Had the teacher not brought up the topic, none of this would have transpired,” she said.
39 Comments
Linsey S-Honeycutt
So it’s the teacher’s fault for talking about current events, but it’s not either of the boys fault who could not have a civil conversation? It’s the teacher’s fault both boys have zero class or respect for others? It’s the teacher’s fault the kids have been taught racist things at home?
Janet Nelson Eubanks
Exactly. It is the teacher’s job to elicit thought-provoking discourse about events affecting the world.
Tammy McCown
Yeah, ok. What a crock of crap.
Scott Landers
I would venture to guess it’s just the white guy’s fault for not keeping his mouth shut.
Michael Hogan
Might as well take history out of the schools if discussing events are going to offend someone to the degree!
Vicki Jordan Hardin
never know it could’ve been the teacher.as a white kid i went to pretty much a all black school.everybody was cool with each other til it was black history month and we watched stuff about slavery and everything then it seemed the white kids we did have was being targeted because of the slavery days
Matthew Norman
So it’s the teacher’s fault for bringing up a current event? I guess we’re not supposed to teach our kids to be able to talk about things.
Heather Williams
Why do I feel like this was the white boys family giving this interview? The video I saw of him he called that girl the N word.
Tammy McCown
The student using a racisl slur stated in an interview he hoped people know where he is coming from.
Yes, I think we do. We’ve seen racists before.
Tammy McCown
It would be his fault for using a racial slur.
Patricia Sissy Farmer
Because this is such a controversial matter for adults. I dont think its wise for teachers, to discuss this in class, if one person dont want to stand, dont make them!!
Heather Williams
Exactly but the white boy berated a black girl for stating she wouldn’t stand. Instead of just saying how he felt/give his opinion and let her state hers HE took it to another level. The black boy that posted a picture of him burning a flag was disciplined by his father and then the snap message about “hey Ns don’t come to school” was posted.
Fulmer Barry
It’s not the teachers It is the lack of teaching at home on all sides
Thomas D Robinson Sr.
If she didn’t want to stand she should have walked her ass outside. Nothing but DISRESPECTFUL
Matt Coleman
So it’s ok for a black to call another black the very sane word ? Lol
Ricky Hogan
Guess the parents take no responsibility for the way they raise there kids anymore huh.
John Michael Brewer
Both ignorant kids should be forced to hold hands and walk around campus once a day for the rest of the year.If the parents don’t like it they can both move ! No place in Pellcity for hate regardless of where it comes from. Pellcity is a very special place the school administrators have a great opportunity I hope that they don’t blow it!
Rodney Sharp
Matt Coleman yes it is. It does not hold the same meaning. When a white personal says it to a black persons they are making a hateful racist statement.
A friend of yours could call you a name that some would consider offensive but YOU don’t take it that way. Someone who you don’t know could say the same and it takes on a whole different context. Imo
Rodney Sharp
Yes it is. It all hit FB that morning on What’s happening Pellcity. The parents were causing a shit storm. From those post you know why some kids behave the way they do.
Tammy McCown
The young lady professed no hate.
Matt Coleman
https://www.facebook.com/Davethesage/posts/1980288945517996
The Trussville Tribune
This is a complete fabrication. He was booed for his play and it had nothing to do with the national anthem.
https://youtu.be/efoZiT_Usnc
Matt Coleman
I could care less if it’s true,or not .thats yalls job lol
Tammi Hinds
I think racist comments and threats might be the issue period!
April Wallace
It is everyone’s job as responsible citizens to not be a part of the problem of fake news. So if you know something to be untrue, don’t share it. Or correct your previous comment.
Tammy McCown
They prefer to believe the lies.
Matt Coleman
April Wallace I don’t know what’s true ,or not on the internet ,and the news these days do you lol,and I’ll share what ever I want to ,if I wanted your advise I would have asked for it
Matt Coleman
Tammy McCown Obama told us enough lies for a lifetime lol
Tammy McCown
You could def use some “advice”. And that would be that it is very easy to fact check.
Matt Coleman
Tammy McCown I’m not fact checking anything shouldn’t have too .as long as they are putting fake news on the net it will be shared no matter how much y’all don’t like it
Toni Harrison Atkins
And this is why nothing will ever change. These are high-schoolers. In the real world, you need to know how to use your words and have discussions. Maybe if some adults had learned critical thinking and debate skills relating to current events back in high school, we wouldn’t have so many thin-skinned belligerent jerks walking around.
Brandon Johnson
You have to blame somebody.
Denise Nanee Gilbreath
I have to laugh because of the situation! This racism crap goes BOTH ways! People take things out of context and run and scream and cry! Put your about clothes on and get over it! This will continue because nobody and be adult and walk away from Name-calling! If you feel the school is unjust to your child do to your skin color talk in private quit airing everything and creating more hostility!
Denise Nanee Gilbreath
Exactly! She started it by being defiant due to her skin color because others are doing it. This is not a “fad”. Does she even know why she is doing that or is she following the idiot that started it! I do not feel sorry for her. These people instigate this crap! She, more than likely, was told or taught at home she didn’t have to abide by the school policies and our country.
Denise Nanee Gilbreath
And???
Denise Nanee Gilbreath
Matt Coleman exactly! I’ve heard refer to white people as NIG***s. So what’s the difference? I really want to know! And no I am NOT racist. I’m looking at all sides and wAtching in real life actions on the streets, in stores, everywhere!
Denise Nanee Gilbreath
Rodney Sharp than that right there says they are racist! They want to be treated different and don’t want to be one! They want diversity and segregation!
Tammy McCown
That is just a ridiculous statement. You are being obtuse if you dont understand the difference.
And yoy dont get that your very words are racist. You need to look up what racism is. You seem to have little understanding.
Heather Williams
The fact that you are trying to defend the boy saying that by defaulting to “black ppl say it to each other” shows your own racism. My best friend and I greet each other with “hey bitch” and like Rodney Sharp said if someone I didn’t know said that to me it wouldn’t take it be a term of endearment like it is when she says it to me.