Minnesota high school investigating photo of racist ‘picking cotton’ prom proposal

A high school in Minnesota is investigating a photo of a racist prom invitation.

The Big Lake School District said in a statement on Wednesday that it was made aware of the “promposal” after it sparked backlash on social media. 

Local outlet WCCO 4 posted a photo showing two teenagers holding a sign that reads: “If I was Black I’d be picking cotton, but I’m white so I’m picking you. Prom?”

Administrators said that the post involved high school students and an invitation to a non-district-sponsored prom event.

The Big Lake district said it has addressed the actions of the students involved, but can’t disclose what’s been done because of privacy laws.

Social workers and counselors were dispatched to schools to help students express “their justified emotions and anger relative to this incident,” the district said in a statement.

“We also want to emphasize that the Big Lake School District does not condone or accept racism, intolerance, or discrimination in any form. School District Administration will seek to work with Civil Rights leaders and other professionals to hold discussions on race and related issues, and how we can better ensure acceptance, inclusion, and respect for all members of our community,” the statement read.

The father of the boy in the picture told WCCO that the family is receiving threats but declined to comment, as did the mother of the girl seen in the image.

It is unclear if the teenagers will be allowed to attend the festivities. 

High school senior Janaya Dimkpa, who is biracial, told the outlet that she is hesitant to attend prom after the photo came to light. 

“If those kids are going to be allowed at prom, then it’s not going to be a welcome place for everyone,” Dimkpa said.

This is not the first time that the racially insensitive phrase has been used in a prom proposal.

Incidents of the slavery-themed quote were reported during prom season in 2019 at schools in schools in Washington state and Ohio.

Last year, students in California faced backlash for a sign that read, “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 out the N-word.