The principal of GW Graham secondary school has issued an apology for a picture that found its way into the 2017 yearbook.

The photo surfaced on Instagram this week, showing a student in blackface.

Responding with a letter posted to the school害羞草研究所檚 Instagram account (@gwg_grizzlies), Chuck Lawson apologized for the 害羞草研究所渋nappropriate and offensive picture害羞草研究所� and said the student wore blackface to portray a role in a trial.

害羞草研究所淚t was unfortunate the actions were not stopped at the classroom level and discussed as a learning opportunity for those involved,害羞草研究所� Lawson wrote. 害羞草研究所淥ur youth are going to make mistakes, and it is the role of the adults to bring concerns forward in a respectful manner. It is important that we discuss our actions and understand the hurt that others may feel from our actions.害羞草研究所�

Beyond the incident itself, Lawson said it was 害羞草研究所渦nfortunate害羞草研究所� that the picture made it into the yearbook.

害羞草研究所淥ur yearbook is a celebration that is a reflection of our school,害羞草研究所� he wrote. 害羞草研究所淚 apologize to the students who cherish our yearbooks and fondly look through them for bringing back special memories from high school.害羞草研究所�

It was Makena Lejeune, who was a high school student in Chilliwack in 2017, who posted the photo on her Instagram feed and urged others to share it and tag @gwg_grizzlies.

She wrote that staff at the time brushed off the incident.

害羞草研究所淭he fact that teachers allowed this to happen is unacceptable,害羞草研究所� she wrote. 害羞草研究所淭he fact that there were no repercussions for the staff and students that allowed this to happen is unacceptable.害羞草研究所�

With race relations top of mind the last few weeks with the death of George Floyd, Lejeune noted that GW Graham posted a black square on social media to show solidarity with black students.

害羞草研究所淏ut that was performative,害羞草研究所� she wrote. 害羞草研究所淵ou can害羞草研究所檛 tell me a school that allows blackface in their yearbook actually cares about black students and other minority students.害羞草研究所�

In his letter, Lawson expressed gratitude to those who brought it to his attention and pledged that the school will do better.

害羞草研究所淲e will build on the strengths of GW Graham and ensure that we are an inclusive school that provides exciting opportunities in a caring environment,害羞草研究所� he wrote.

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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