A group of white students in Illinois was filmed making racist monkey gestures toward a crowd of black people.
A video circulating online showed five students on a football field taunting a black crowd in the stands. The students appeared to mimic monkeys with their movements while facing the crowd. At one point, some of the students also appeared to perform what looked like a Nazi salute toward the crowd.
The students continued making the racist gestures, with one appearing to scratch his body as though he were a monkey. Another student then began crawling across the field while appearing to imitate a monkey. Toward the end of the video, a man on the field appeared to confront one of the students.
According to WGN9, an investigation is underway following what was described as “racist harassment” at a football game. The five students involved are from Lincoln-Way East High School and were reportedly seen making the racist gestures toward Homewood-Flossmoor students seated in the bleachers.
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School said its staff quickly removed the students following the incident. The two schools are now discussing how to handle the situation and are also considering possible legal options.
Lincoln-Way East later issued an apology over the incident. “We are aware that a group of five Lincoln-Way East students displayed inappropriate and offensive behavior at the football game against Homewood-Flossmoor on Friday night. The students involved are not members of the football team. We would like to sincerely apologize to the HF community for the behavior displayed by these students. This behavior does not reflect the expectations and standards we have for Lincoln-Way students,” the school wrote.
“The district is taking this matter seriously. We have identified the students involved and will follow through with the district’s discipline policies and procedures to the fullest extent. Because this matter involves students, we cannot disclose the names of those involved or the disciplinary action that is to be taken,” the school added.
Internet Divided Over Racist Incident in Illinois
The video sparked reactions online. Viewers were divided over how to react to the racist gestures made by the white Illinois students. Several people criticized the students, with one person writing, “This is learned behavior. We should judge their parents also.” Another person said, “Everyone involved here should be booted off the team.”
Others online had more controversial reactions, with some defending the students despite the racist incident. “Who cares? Why is being racist the worst crime to society? Mean while, 46 black people shot in Chicago,” one person wrote. Another person said, “These kids are patriots and did nothing wrong. If this offends you in anyway you might need to change your tampon.” Someone else added, “The race that calls every other race-racist. Sure seems to always be the most racist of all. Gimme a break. What’s racist about any of this?????”
The incident also raised concerns about how racism in schools should be addressed by students, parents, and school officials. The reactions online further highlighted concerns over people defending or minimizing racist behavior, with some arguing that a person’s age should not be used as a reason to excuse or encourage such conduct.
