Pleasantville Copes With Racist 'Promposal' And Media Attention

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — This small village in affluent Westchester County has hunkered down to protect its kids after a 'promposal' with racial overtones triggered outrage and lots of media attention. That attention has made district officials grapple with more issues than just the racist social-media prom invite.

School officials took action when they learned about the Instagram 'promposal,' which News 12 reported shows a Pleasantville High School senior holding a sign that reads, "If I were black, I'd be picking cotton, but I’m white so I'm picking you for the prom."

A version of this 'promposal' also surfaced in Texas, Florida and other states in the past two years.( A different racist 'promposal' drew outrage in California this week.)

"The students involved have been cooperative and remorseful, however, that does not in any way excuse the conduct," Pleasantville High School Principal Joe Palumbo said in a letter to families. "The district rejects the message that was included in the 'Promposal,' and is treating this issue with the utmost seriousness."

Later, district officials sent out a message to residents that not only further discussed the Instagram but also the subsequent media descent on the small village.

" This incident has since drawn the attention of the news and social media and, as such, we believe it is important to communicate with you about the safety and security of your children. This is - and will always be - our top priority," said Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter and Board of Education members Angela Vella, Emily Rubin Persons, Lawrence Boes, Louis Conte and Shane McGaffey. "News trucks have been in the vicinity of our schools and we are aware that reporters directly approached students with questions that many found unnerving. We are in constant communications with the Pleasantville Police Department, who will have a presence at or near the schools during high-traffic times.

"We ask that you please remind your children that they have no responsibility to respond to any questions asked of them by the media or unknown individuals - be it in person or online. We ask that you please contact Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter, your child’s school principal or the Pleasantville Police Department if your child is made to feel uncomfortable."

As for the 'promposal' itself, district officials said many members of the community have reached out to them for more information about the incident and how it is being addressed.

This is what's being immediately done.

"We had already been in discussions with Value Up for them to participate in Upstanders Day at PHS next week. Value Up is a student-centered organization whose mission is 'to raise the value of human life in schools across the nation.' At the HS next week, Value Up will present its Walk a Mile Assembly Program," they said in the message.

District officials said they have also reached out to the Anti-Defamation League on how to infuse more lessons on acceptance and diversity.

They're not going to talk about the specific incident in a lot more detail.

"We are living in a time when transparency is expected from business, government and, of course, schools," they said. "While we, along with the administration, believe strongly in being transparent and engaging in dialogue, we are legally obligated to balance that belief with the privacy laws that are in place to protect our children."

They would welcome the community’s involvement as they craft new strategies for the next school year, they said.

It's not the first time Pleasantville has dealt with incidents with racial overtones. In 2011 the Police Benevolent Association named a white policeman Officer of the Year who had shot and killed a black college student bystander after a local bar brawl the year before. Four years after that the college put a memorial to the student on its Pleasantville campus.

SEE ALSO:

• Racist 'Promposal' From Palos Verdes Student Prompts Outrage
• Leander Student's 'Slavery Pun' Prom Invitation Sparks Outrage
• Student's Racist 'Promposal' On Social Media Prompts Protest
• DJ Henry Remembered at Pace 5 Years After Shooting