Several Asian American students at a California high school received anonymous, racist messages through social media, the school district said.
Whitney High School in Rocklin is conducting an investigation over the reported messages that were sent to students involved in the school’s Asian Youth Leadership Association. Any students identified in having a role in sending the messages will be disciplined, the Rocklin Unified School District said.
“Rocklin Unified School District is disturbed and saddened by the hate crimes and discrimination members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community are experiencing,” Sundeep Dosanjh, chief of communications for Rocklin Unified School District, told the Washington Examiner. “Rocklin Unified School District prioritizes anti-bullying, equity, and inclusivity on all of its campuses and is committed to provide a positive, safe, and welcoming atmosphere where students can unite, respect, and celebrate the diverse school community through school events.”
The anonymous Instagram account allegedly sent the messages to students earlier in March. They contained an offensive cartoon image and a hateful message, according to the Sacramento Bee. The message was reported to have contained an ethnic slur used against Chinese people, followed by saying that they “aren’t welcome at Whitney and y’all know it.”
It’s unclear how many students received the message.
Whitney students expressed concerns over the incident, which came in the wake of upticks in hate crimes against Asian Americans.
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“Some kid making an account to spread hateful words about Asian American students at the school — it’s just very messed up,” Whitney sophomore Adryan Vazquez told CBS 13 of Sacramento.
