Watchung Hills Student's Blackface Costume Condemned By District

WARREN, NJ — Watchung Hills Regional High School students participated in meetings with staff members after some students had dressed up as an African American slave and slave owner at what appears to be a Halloween gathering this past weekend.

WHRHS Superintendent Elizabeth C. Jewett issued a letter condemning the actions of the students.

"Although this incident occurred outside of school and the event was not affiliated with WHRHS, we are undertaking a thorough investigation into this matter, working closely with law enforcement," Jewett said in a letter Tuesday.

The photo of the students in costume circulated on social media showing a Watchung Hills senior wearing blackface makeup and a black wig along with another student wearing a cowboy hat and holding a whip, according to Echos-Sentinel.

The costumes looked to portray a white slave master and black slave. However, people on social media commented on the photo saying the student with the whip was actually dressed as Indiana Jones or a cowboy, and his costume was not associated with student in blackface, according to Echos-Sentinel.

"The Watchung Hills Regional High School community denounces this event and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While DEI is a current area of focus for our district, in alignment with our Strategic Plan Goals, there is much work yet to be done," Jewett said in the letter.

Students at the high school met in small groups with staff members to discuss the costume and party. Participation in the discussions was optional.

"Hate has no place on our campus. The Watchung Hills Regional High School District seeks to develop all of our students into young adults who are able to demonstrate empathy, cultural sensitivity, and ethical decision-making," Jewett continued. "Toward that end, rather than responding to a hateful act with more hate, I am asking that we, as a community, work together to ensure that the racial insensitivity and inappropriateness of these students’ actions serves as a teachable moment. Let us work toward restorative, rather than retributive, justice, repairing the harm done through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders."

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