A Kickapoo High School student posted a racist rant on Snapchat apparently aimed at black student athletes.
In the 20-second video, an unidentified white male used a string of profanity and racial slurs to warn black students to "stay the (expletive) out of our locker room." He accused them of stealing and adding "we should (expletive) lynch you."
The male added: "It's a privilege to be in our school. You (expletives) go around like you own the place."
The message, widely shared on social media platforms Thursday evening, was quickly condemned by Springfield Public Schools and the Springfield NAACP.
"It took my breath away, personally," said Toni Robinson, president of the Springfield NAACP. "You're not surprised but the trauma, the feeling, the emotion that we've been experiencing for generations is relived in that moment."
In an email to parents, Kickapoo Principal Bill Powers confirmed the video — and sent by readers to the News-Leader and other media outlets — contains "incredibly offensive content, including statements of racism and suggestions of violence."
Powers wrote the district was taking the "unacceptable conduct" seriously and outlined steps the district took to respond.
The steps include disciplining the student, requesting social media platforms remove the video, and reporting the incident to law enforcement and the Children's Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services.
"We have applied the maximum scope of discipline, as outlined by our district’s handbook, for the student who made and posted the video," Powers wrote. "The law does not allow us to be specific on the disciplinary actions we have taken, but I assure you that it is significant and appropriate."
Kickapoo was repeatedly in the news in April for a string of bullying incidents, starting with a student ripping a poster from the school's Gay Straight Trans Alliance off the wall and tossing it — to cheers and clapping — into a crowded commons area.
More: Anti-LGBT bullying at Kickapoo High draws swift response, but controversy lingers
More: Second LGBT poster ripped off wall at Kickapoo High School
The morning of the National Day of Silence, to raise awareness about bullying of LGBT students, a few Kickapoo teens cruised the parking lot before school. At least one was waving the Confederate battle flag.
"The last few months have been difficult for our school, but together we have an opportunity to rise above the divisive behavior demonstrated by a few vocal students," Powers wrote. "The vast majority of our Kickapoo family are welcoming individuals with big hearts who work extraordinarily hard to demonstrate kindness and love every day."
District officials also reached out to community groups such as the Springfield NAACP to update them on the situation and invite them "to work with us on next steps to move forward with healing and reconciliation for our student body."
Robinson said Mike Dawson, chief learning officer for the district, called her at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
"They took fast action. They called within an hour of the incident taking place," she said. "They have followed policy in terms of making reports to SPD and informing the public of the situation."
Throughout the afternoon, Robinson said she was contacted by "a flood" of parents, students and community members.
"The parents are outraged. They are upset, angry," she said late Thursday. "Students are scared. They do not want to return to school tomorrow. They do not feel safe."
She added: "Athletes want to know what their protocol is now for the locker room. The student that made that statement (on the video) was specific in talking to black athletes."
Robinson encouraged the Springfield Police Department to investigate and take action. She called the video message "a danger to our students, to our community, to our schools."
She said it ought to be investigated as a possible hate crime.
"What took place can be categorized as a terroristic threat and so we want that to be taken seriously," she said.
Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, said the district is investigating the incident and the outcome of that will inform the next steps.
"As commissioned law enforcement officers, school police will submit a report at the conclusion of their investigation," he said. "In this case, it will be submitted to authorities with Greene County Juvenile Services, who will then determine next steps."
Robinson said the Springfield NAACP opted not to the share the video, but noted it "spread very quickly."
"I know people across the state are already aware of the incident," she said.
The NAACP's youth group will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library. Robinson and Shurita Thomas-Tate, a professor at Missouri State University, will meet with the youth group — which includes Kickapoo student athletes — to discuss the video and its aftermath.
"This is a space for students to dialogue not for media or parents or officials to get in the way," she said.
"The NAACP will continue to lead efforts to keep SPS accountable. Students have to return to school every day in this environment, and that is our main concern," Robinson said. "We do not believe at this point that the school board and the administrators are taking immediate action...There is still an environment where these incidents are continually happening."
In the note to parents, Powers asked them to reinforce expectations at home.
"We are committed to ensuring that each and every student is respected and supported," he wrote. "Our ultimate goal is for all students to achieve their full potential, supported in a safe environment that fosters their learning and growth."
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