School's apology after teacher wears blackface to African history lesson
A school superintendent has apologised for his “poor judgment” in allowing a teacher to wear blackface during an African history lesson.
The incident occurred at the Victory Christian School system’s lower school in California on January 24.
A teacher darkened her skin while teaching students about missionary David Livingston who visited Africa in the late 19th century, local outlet Fox 40 reported.
“In an effort to bring authenticity to her role, she wore a typical native dress and headdress,” John Huffman, superintendent of the Victory Christian School system, told Yahoo Lifestyle in an email.
“She also used makeup to darken her skin tone on her arms, shoulders and face.
“I was wrong to allow the use of makeup no matter how innocent the intentions as it has offended some of my students and parents.
“I should have anticipated that this could be offensive, and I apologised to my students and parents asking to be forgiven for hurting them.”
Yahoo Lifestyle contacted the teacher in question, but she did not respond.
“I recognise the woman who wore blackface – she is oblivious,” a 19-year-old former student, who wants her name kept private, told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“It was very upsetting, especially because the kids in that class are so young.”
Mr Huffman told Yahoo Lifestyle he apologised in an email to families that day and confronted the matter in a school-wide assembly.
