UK2 min(s) read
Published 11:49 09 Jul 2021 GMT
A school staff member has been suspended after being caught on camera asking a Black student why she can't use 'the n-word'.
The incident took place at Wilmington Academy in Dartford, Kent, and shows the school worker repeatedly using the slur while speaking to a Black pupil. Seemingly unaware that she was being recorded, the student later uploaded the footage to social media with the title: "Racist white teacher says the N-word multiple times to black student at Wilmington Academy".
In the footage, the white member of staff asks the student: "Hang on, am I not allowed to use the word n****r?"
To which, the audibly shocked student responds: "What?"
The faculty member then repeats herself as the student and another person respond: "No."
When asked by the staff member "Why not?" the student calmly replies: "Because it’s a disrespectful word to Black people."
The staff member goes on to add: "In the slave time, the slave trade, it’s where that word came from. yeah?" Then once again repeated the slurs: "N****, n*****, right?"
The clip has since amassed over 130,000 views after being re-shared on Twitter (Warning - this video contains language that people will find upetting):Per The Mirror, a second video was uploaded showing more of the conversation, in which the staff member uses the offensive term again.
The student captioned the clip: "The school is backwards I [swear] welcome to Wilmington."
It is not known when the video was recorded, but the student in the video can be seen wearing a face mask.
Wilmington Academy has since released a statement announcing that it has suspended the staff member seen in the video and that an investigation has been launched.
Per The Mirror, the statement reads: "Yesterday evening we were made aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show a member of our support staff at Wilmington Academy using a racially derogatory term during a discussion with a student.
"The member of staff involved has now been suspended pending a full formal investigation into the incident.
"The student in the video will receive any necessary support they require from senior leaders and specialist trained staff.
"Wilmington Academy and Leigh Academies Trust does not tolerate the use of any racially derogatory language by staff or students and treats any such breach extremely seriously."
In response to the video, author and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu tweeted: "'Am I not allowed to use the word n****r? Why not?' demands White teacher
"This is an abuse of authority. The entitled Caucacity & White privilege to confront a Black student with this is staggering. @WilmingtonAcad if this is your teacher & she isn't sacked I want to know why."
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