Racist ‘promposal’ sign prompts outrage on social media

A “promposal” picture from students at a California high school sparked outrage on social media due to a sign with a racist message.

In the photo, which was posted on Twitter and Instagram, a boy and a girl who go to Palos Verdes High School hold a sign, and the boy reportedly asked the girl to go to prom with him, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The sign says, “Bianca You are racist, but I would give anything for you to go with me to prom.”

While most of the words on the sign appear to be written with markers or pens, six letters are capitalized and in a different color and font — and together, they spell the N-word.

Students and parents denounced the photo on social media, and some have asked for the school to investigate.

On Twitter, one user — who says she’s a student at Palos Verdes High School — wrote, “I’m calling on my school to take action against this vile display of racism.”

These two individuals attend my school and thought this was an appropriate promposal. I’m calling on my school to take action against this vile display of racism. @PVHS_Seakings @PVHSTyner pic.twitter.com/7mc0Y4V0V5

— Ryan Pascal (@ryanpascal_) May 14, 2019

In a statement posted on the school’s website, Principal Allan Tyner says he’ll meet with all students on Wednesday in light of the incident.

“Today I will be meeting with all students, class by class. We will review appropriate behavior and how the use of hurtful racial slurs like the one used on this recent picture posted on social media is unacceptable,” the statement reads. “I know that this one unfortunate event does not represent us as a school community.”

The statement continues, “Racist words and racist acts have no place in our school community. We will rise above this, learn from this, and be a better school community because of it.”

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Tyner added that the school has contacted the two students in the photo, as well as their families, and that “we are forming a response and anticipate severe consequences.” 

The school plans to hold its prom on Saturday night, according to its website.