Virginia High School Banner May be Racist

Multiple news sites reported on the banner and the subsequent apology. 

Misbar's investigation shows that the banner was put on display by Yorktown High School in Yorktown, Virginia on Friday, May 15, 2020. Many users across social media platforms retweeted the image, calling it racist and insensitive. 

A close look at the photo of the banner shows that students with darker skin tones were used to accentuate the school logo. The photos of students of color were covered by the shading, while the photos of white students were placed in the light. Arlington Public Schools spokesperson Frank Bellavia stated that the banner was created using computer-generated imaging software. He said, “A computer program grouped and placed senior portraits over an image of the front of the school and the YHS logo. The printer sent a proof to the school by email, so it was difficult to see how the photos were placed to create image.” Following backlash on social media, including a condemnation by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the principal of Yorktown High School sent out an email to students and parents that said, “Upon realizing our oversight, we immediately removed the banner and notified the printing company of this issue… This banner does not appropriately reflect our graduating class or our values, and we sincerely apologize to any student who felt offended or marginalized. We do not condone any activity or imagery that offends our students.”

The high school banner did separate students of color; however, it seems to be an issue of computer-generated image creation and not malicious racism.