Racial slur found at PMHS on poster encouraging students to spread positivity
A Post-it with a message that had the N-word added (all but the “n” blocked out by the Pelham Examiner) along with other messages on a poster encouraging positive communication.
A Post-it with the N-word written on it was found Monday at Pelham Memorial High School on a poster that aimed to encourage students to share positive messages with their peers.
According to an email from PMHS Principal Mark Berkowitz, the racial slur was added to a note that originally said “Be Nice.”
Interim Assistant Principal Richard Leprine spoke briefly to some classes Wednesday, saying that derogatory comments would not be tolerated in the school. This event follows an incident of antisemitism at PMHS in October, when a swastika was found scratched into the wall in a stairwell.
Colorful Post-its with sayings like “Be Kind” and “Laugh & just relax” surrounded the note with the racial slur until the entire display, which was was outside the counseling office, was taken down sometime between Monday and Wednesday morning. A picture of the poster with the Post-its was circulated on at least one Snapchat account.
Berkowitz released a statement to PMHS families at 1:47 p.m. on Wednesday stating, “We condemn this language and all instances of hate. Students and families should know that once the Post-it was removed, we initiated an investigation in accordance with the code of conduct.”
Public Information Officer Alex Wolff said the district and Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ had no comment on the incident.
Cristina is a senior at Pelham Memorial High School. She is the class of 2023 secretary and the Editor-in-Chief of the PMHS Pelican Yearbook. Cristina...
John Brice • Dec 22, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Whoever spent 5 seconds to transform what was meant to be an uplifting message into a racial slur sure got a big return on their investment. Two days featured on the email blast of the examiner will do little to discourage this kid or any copycat attention seekers.
Adam Ilkowitz • Dec 22, 2022 at 1:17 pm
Unless your punishing someone, stop publicizing the act. There is no benefit to giving notoriety to something that is abhorrent but has so far had no consequences.
It’s getting frustrating to see nobody held accountable yet again. Is there no video to review for any of these events?
Bob Shepherd • Dec 22, 2022 at 1:09 pm
As shameful as this incident is, it certainly isn’t shocking. Pelham is full of racism as I hear it on the streets around about the town several times a week, and have done since arriving here just over 9 years ago. I’ve even taken it upon myself to address it at the time more than once!
The problem for our schools is that if it’s happening all too frequently outside, then invariably It’ll come inside of the schools at times. I dread to think just how much racism occurs on a daily basis inside the schools of Pelham that most never hear about. A Post-it of the N word or a scribble of a Swastika is there for all to see…until taken down. But a quick verbal under the breath to a colleague about someone else is said once and done in a moment…but it’s still racism that needs eradicating.
I have no doubt (but no proof either other than experience) that much of the racism used by students stems from what is heard at home. If and when a student is caught expressing racism, then in my view it has to be addressed to the parents with the utmost seriousness. The sad thing for me is that 60 years ago when I was at school, it was the very same. Is it worse today? Well it most certainly isn’t any better.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world, and I was unlucky enough not to receive a full formal education beforehand. What the world taught me is that we ALL bleed red…because I’ve seen it from time to time. We also want the same things for our families. A roof over our heads, food on the table, clean running water, an education for our children…and a life of peace. So why the racism?
RICHARD PALMER • Dec 22, 2022 at 10:02 am
Why did it take 2-3 days before notice and taken down.
Description of post it sounds like taunting.
This kind of thing should not be tolerated but advertising in the examiner does not help and thanks for the reminder of last October.
Take it down keep it quit. If the teachers and staff know their students, then at least one of them have a good idea of who did it.