‘Extremely Racist’ Video Prompts Disciplinary Action In Cromwell

CROMWELL, CT — Cromwell school officials say disciplinary action has been taken after a video that contained “extremely racist content” was posted on social media. The video showed a student speaking to a person in blackface, the Middletown Press reports.

The video, which Superintendent of Schools Thomas McDowell said contained “extremely racist content,” was posted on social media on Wednesday, June 12. He said the video is an “an anomaly and does not represent our student body, our schools or our community.”

“As a school district we have the obligation and responsibility to create a safe environment for all of our students,” McDowell wrote in a letter to the Cromwell community. “This morning we took appropriate action and put into place appropriate steps to ensure that the safety of all our students was our paramount concern. Social media has its benefits but it can also be damaging to individuals, families and the community at large.

“Cromwell is a community that takes pride in its diverse population. Within our school system we always promote the idea that every individual is unique and should be valued and respected regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or economic background. The video is an anomaly and does not represent our student body, our schools or our community.

“I want to ensure everyone that we have taken appropriate action and will be vigilant in our efforts to promote a safe and welcoming environment for our students and our community. Disciplinary action has been taken and we will continue to promote diversity training and presentations as were recently completed throughout our schools this spring.”