Elite LA Private School Accused of Racism in Wake of Offensive Video

BRENTWOOD, CA - An elite LA private school has promised to investigate after video of its students singing a rap song with sexist and racial slurs was posted to social media along with a petition to combat racism.

The Westiside’s Brentwood School has said it will investigate after a Change.org petition ripped school officials for allegedly turning a blind eye to “racism, bullying, and inappropriate behavior.” The petition further accuses the school of “white favoritism.”

The 26-second video features a handful of high schoolers at a boat party singing a rap refrain repeating offensive language about women and African Americans.

According to the Los Angeles Times, school officials released a statement condemning the song as “offensive and inconsistent with our core values. We are investigating this insensitive behavior, will address the situation directly, and will respond seriously.”

On its website, the school, which has a $37,000 per year tuition, boasts of its diversity. “Our school community is shaped and enhanced by students who live in more than 90 different zip code areas and come from 114 different schools. Fifteen percent of our families benefit from financial aid. The West Campus (Grades K-6) is currently 26% students of color, and the East Campus (Grades 7-12) is 34% students of color.”

However, the person who posted the video and Change.org petition decrided the lack of diversty at the school.

“Welcome to the world of LA’s exclusive private schools,” the video states.

“As a black kid at Brentwood my experience is completely different than that of the majority. I can’t say I ever felt comfortable at Brentwood,” the petition’s author wrote. “Brentwood School has failed to protect its students. A group of almost exclusively white students had a party on a boat and decided to sing the n word multiple times. Brentwood has done nothing other than offer to ‘talk to them.’ If these kids weren't in their socioeconomic position, of their racial heritage, or considered "assets" to the community (based on social status and/or their parents wealth), consequences would be different. Brentwood claims to value diversity and acceptance, but their lack of action demonstrates otherwise. this is just another example of their white favoritism.”

Responding to the petition, the school officials promised to learn from the experience.

“This situation underscores the fact that nurturing a climate of mutual respect and inclusion at Brentwood is an ongoing process,” the school told the Los Angeles Times. "We will use this as an opportunity to further authentic dialogue about diversity and what it means to each individual member of our school."