Parents at a Long Island middle school say that they are upset and concerned that a noose was depicted in a collage of photos at the school.
The incident happened at Roosevelt Middle School in Nassau County. The photo appeared to show two nooses that were labeled "back to school necklaces." The image was apparently part of a larger collage of other photos on display in a classroom.
Many parents say that they found the photograph racially insensitive. Others said that even if the photograph wasn’t meant to be racist, it still sends the wrong message.
“That may not be what they’re trying to say. It’s probably just a joke and has nothing to do with African-Americans or anything. But at the same time, they can still draw that connection,” one parent told News 12.
In a statement, the district says, "The Roosevelt School District is aware of the inappropriate conduct at the Roosevelt Middle School. The Board of Education was made aware of this incident on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, an investigation was immediately initiated and appropriate action taken. The Board of Education has zero tolerance for the display of racially offensive images."
District administrators were unable to comment further on the issue.
The pastor of a church in Roosevelt suggests that the teachers be fired.