The photo of seven young men from Phillipsburg High School surrounding a wrestling dummy wearing a Paulsboro High School T-shirt has spurred the school district to discipline the boys for what critics are calling racist, mean-spirited and just poor taste.
Six of the seven boys in the photo are wearing Phillipsburg team jackets and two of the individuals have hoods pulled over their heads in a point. One of the boys is leaning toward the front of the photo with a paddle in his hand.
Fierce rivals for decades, both Phillipsburg and Paulsboro boast two of the most competitive wrestling programs in New Jersey. The blue-collar towns are located on opposite ends of the state and matches between the Stateliners and Red Raiders have always been intense.
The teams met earlier this month in a dual meet, with Phillipsburg prevailing, 38-21.
Phillipsburg School District Superintendent George M. Chando said "actions were taken" Tuesday. But he refused to say what they were.
In a brief news release issued yesterday afternoon, Chando called the incident "a student matter dealing with minors."
"An investigation was undertaken and upon conclusion of the investigation, actions were taken by the District consistent with its policies," the statement read.
This incident is very disturbing, to say that "it's in poor taste" shows where our society as a whole thinks about racial jokes. I have a son who is a freshman wrestler in college down in Missouri, he tells me how racial it is for him. We need to put an end to this now before it gets out of hand.
ReplyDeleteJRW
Stupidity is not an excuse for this.. Neither is being a "minor" they know right, form Wrong.. This is plan Dumb!
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ReplyDeleteI wonder about the mental state of the wrestlers. What is on the inside comes to the outside. They look like there are some mental and emotional issues going on. Perhaps these are some of the next school shooters. Someone should look into their behavior a little further.
ReplyDeleteThese kids just got a dummy. They were not targeting blacks. If the kids were black and the dummy was white, nothing would be said.
ReplyDeleteReally!....I guess thats why there hoods are pointed at the top right -___-
DeleteNo. If the kids were black and the dummy were white, there would have been something said. Simply because of this country's history. Usually, the opposite team would to target the mascot of their rival.....what message were these students trying to give.
DeleteYou're right. Nothing would be said, but something would be done if the kids were black and the dummy white. Wake up!
ReplyDeleteLove it....keep up the great work
ReplyDeleteYou guys are crazy, it's just a friendly rivalry. Like when you say "we are going to kill that team", it's just getting the competition going. You are supposed to hate your opponent as it helps get your competitive juices going, then once the game is over you shake hands. The wrestling dummy just happens to be black in color
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could say they are going after handicap people as the dummy has no hands or feet, or eyes, nose, mouth, hair, ears, internal organs etc..... I am sick of all this PC crap