Top N.J. high school investigating 21 students over racial slurs

Cellphone file photo

One of New Jersey’s highest ranked and most racially diverse high schools is investigating 21 students for allegedly using racial and anti-gay rhetoric, including the n-word. (MLive file photo)

One of New Jersey’s highest ranked and most racially diverse high schools is investigating 21 students for allegedly using racial and anti-gay rhetoric, including the n-word.

Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has been informed of the matter, a spokesperson said Friday.

The incidents were brought to the attention of the principal at Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School on Tuesday, Fernandez said.

A Twitter thread was posted Thursday detailing allegations against students who used racial and anti-gay slurs on social media and in group chats. The thread names the students and includes screen shots of their alleged comments.

Three students have been suspended, Fernandez said.

“This is bigger than just a couple of children being disrespectful,” she said. “It’s boarding on a hate crime. It’s cyber bullying. We’re waiting for [authorities] to give us information on how credible the re-posts are, are they original, is it spoofing.”

The students involved could potentially be removed or expelled from McNair High School, Fernandez said, adding that they will follow a district code and students will have an opportunity to present their side of the story.

McNair High School was ranked 4th in New Jersey by U.S. News. Students have to apply and be accepted to attend it. Its student body is 81% persons of color and 52% are economically disadvantaged.

But Fernandez said simply bringing a diverse group of students together isn’t enough.

“We’re reflecting on how do we have conversations with our students about cultural sensitivities" and other issues, she said.

“Sometimes students don’t understand how inappropriate it is to use the n-word, because even though it’s out there in popular culture and music, it is unacceptable,” Fernandez added. “They might’ve made statements and thought they were joking with friends. But once they post that on social media, it’s always there. Young people don’t realize how devastating that can be to their future.”

The slurs are particularly offensive at a time when protests are being staged across New Jersey and the rest of the country following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.

“As these things continue to highlight the unfairness in race issues, to have students that are doing this, it’s such a shame,” Fernandez said.

Also contained within the Twitter thread are comments about a McNair physical education teacher making inappropriate comments and touching students inappropriately. Some of the allegations are from former students.

The district found out about those comments Friday morning and contacted the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, Fernandez said.

The DCF declined to investigate, she said, and the district is conducting its own investigation by taking statements from students, conducting interviews and looking for evidence.

A spokesperson for DCF declined to comment.

“Due to confidentiality rules related to NJ DCF’s work, we are unable to discuss specific allegations of child abuse or neglect, or confirm or deny whether or not allegations have been made or investigated,” Jason Butkowski, director of communications for DCF, said through email.

“If police were to find credible information while digging through all this information, I’m sure it will be reopened,” Fernandez said.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.

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