School administrators at both Center Grove and Westfield Washington schools responded to viral photos of a Center Grove High School football player with black paint smeared all over his face and neck on the team bus following the Class 6A title game versus Westfield this weekend.
A second photo, also taken on the team bus Saturday, shows the white player with fake drawn tattoos on his arms using the black paint.
Blackface, a relic of the Jim Crow-era south, is a term used for the practice of non-Black actors wearing black face paint to depict caricatures of a non-educated Black person, typically a slave or indentured servant. The actor in blackface would typically exhibit Black stereotypes as well.
Center Grove administrators said they were investigating the incident, would interview the students involved and would refer to the student handbook for possible disciplinary measures. Center Grove High School Principal Jeffry Henderson underscored the importance of understanding the impact of one’s actions in a statement sent to parents Tuesday.
“The incident is disappointing and hurtful and does not represent the sportsmanship or values that our team, school and community stand for. On behalf of Center Grove High School and our athletic program, I apologize for this behavior. We expect better and will work hard to ensure that this type of incident never happens again,” Henderson said in the statement.
“We all must recognize the impact our words, photos and actions can have on others. As a school community, we must all work together to unite and not divide. I have spoken to Westfield’s principal to assure her that Center Grove will not tolerate racism or harassment of any kind.”
The incident serves as a learning opportunity, Westfield High School Principal Alicia Denniston said in a statement.
“While we know that people make mistakes, we hope we can all use this opportunity to learn from our actions. (Westfield High School) remains committed to standing up against racial discrimination, supporting our students of color and promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in our school and community,” Denniston said.
“Everyone plays a part in bringing an end to racism and we can only accomplish that by working together. Westfield Washington Schools remains committed to making sure all our students and families feel safe, seen and valued. We cannot let actions like this go unnoticed, and we are confident Center Grove High School will take appropriate action with regards to their investigation.”
Angela Umphery, the mother of a biracial student who witnessed the incident, said her son tried to stop the students from using the black paint, but he is still friends with the boy in the photo.
“I totally forgot about what blackface stood for and how it affects people, maybe kids don’t know about it,” Umphery said. “It’s really hard right now. I want the community to stop the hate. I want the kids and families to meet each other, and for the kids to make a statement and explain why they did this.”
