Hempfield SD officials investigating racist video involving young students

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Officials are investigating after several middle and elementary school students in Westmoreland County appeared in a racist video that was posted on social media.

The video includes several boys who danced and made obscene gestures while a homemade rap song played, calling the song’s target “the whitest black man I know.” One boy wore what appears to be a Klansman’s hood made of paper, while another waved a toy gun.

Hempfield Area School District Superintendent Barbara Marin said in a statement that a school police officer and the district’s administration worked to identify all of the children involved.

“We will not tolerate this type of racial intimidation and harassment,” Marin said in her statement.

In a letter sent to parents (CLICK HERE to read), Marin confirmed that the video was created at home by Hempfield middle and elementary school students. A student who does not attend school in the district posted the video on Twitter.

TRENDING NOW:

• Hamilton the musical coming to Pittsburgh
• Kidnapped woman uses insulin pump light to escape trunk of own car
• VIDEO: Officer injured, glass windows broken during protest outside Allegheny County Jail
• Boy, 4, dies after accidentally hanging himself

The school district asked Pennsylvania State Police to look into the video. But state police said they don’t expect to pursue an investigation, telling Channel 11 News that while the video is in poor taste, it is not believed that anything illegal was done.

According to state police, the video was targeted at a specific student who is somewhat friendly with those involved. The student and the student’s family do not want to pursue charges.

For parents in the district, such as Triscia Linsenbigler, there are more questions than answers.

“I just think it's sad that young kids would do that. Where are they learning it from? Where are they getting it from?” Linsenbigler said.

Linsenbigler said she teaches her children to be tolerant and accepting of everyone, lessons she hoped the children in the video will learn as well.

“They don't look at anybody any different. I think that's how every family should be. There should definitely be conversations,” Linsenbigler said.

It’s unclear what kind of discipline the students involved in the video could face, but Hempfield resident Joanne Hudock doesn’t believe the school district is to blame for the behavior.

“These children are lacking respect, parental guidance. The schools can't do everything,” she said.

The school district will conduct sensitivity and diversity training with students and staff, and it has reached out to the NAACP for guidance on promoting cultural diversity.

Cox Media Group