By Beacon Staff
A Danville School District official said Tuesday an issue that arose after a high school student wore blackface at a volleyball last week has been addressed and the student apologized.
"I am sorry for the uneducated decision I made to paint my face black for the blackout night," the student posted on the school district's Facebook page.
Danville High School hosted a “blackout” night at which fans were dressed in black attire. A photograph of a student wearing black face paint and a nun costume at a volleyball game caused a stir on social media last week. In response to the incident, Superintendent Thomas Ward said the student will participate in ethics training.
"We're trying to set up sensitivity classes with the student. I call it sensitivity training. The student involved then will come back and teach our kids," Ward said. "I know the student well, and there wasn't any intention of discrimination."
Ward said the student entered through the ticket booth, and the school district is now reviewing its policies and procedures. He said the district does not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.
The student also said in his Facebook apology, in part: "I had zero intent of being racist. It didn’t even cross my mind. As for the nun costume, it is a trend on social media. I wasn’t trying to make fun of any religion. I would like to apologize to the African American community, my friends and family, my church and my community."