NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Several metro Atlanta students are in trouble because of a controversial message sent on a social media app.
The scandal happened on the popular app Snapchat and involved students at North Springs High School.
Channel 2's Audrey Washington was told several students were disciplined after a racial slur made the rounds on the app.
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Washington spoke with students and parents who were at the school, and they tell her they’re disappointed.
“I’ve heard about this group of students saying things that have been racially motivated before, but never this blatant,” said parent Felicia Durah.
A student who is familiar with the other students involved in the group Snapchat said any use of the racial slur is disgusting.
“I thought it was a cowardly move for those people to say these things and for them to try to pass it off as a joke is even more cowardly,” said the student, who did not want to be identified.
Jasmine Rainwater said the Snapchat is now creating a divide in the within school community.
“Yeah, they’re very upset,” Rainwater said.
The school principal sent an email saying:
"The administration has investigated the incident and is following discipline protocols as outlined in the Fulton County Schools Code of Student Conduct."
Though the email doesn’t detail exactly how the students were disciplined, it went on to state:
"I want to reiterate that this message does not represent our diverse student body, the faculty and staff at North Springs, or our community."
The district confirmed that the principal held 30-minute assemblies with each grade at the school to further discuss the issue.
Durah doesn’t think the discipline goes far enough.
“You should be punished accordingly,” Durah said.
At least one student said he hopes this incident sparks a more in-depth conversation about race at the school so something like this doesn’t happen again.
Cox Media Group
