The principal of GW Graham secondary school has issued an apology for a picture that found its way into the 2017 yearbook.

The photo surfaced on Instagram this week, showing a student in blackface.

Responding with a letter posted to the school鈥檚 Instagram account (@gwg_grizzlies), Chuck Lawson apologized for the 鈥渋nappropriate and offensive picture鈥� and said the student wore blackface to portray a role in a trial.

鈥淚t was unfortunate the actions were not stopped at the classroom level and discussed as a learning opportunity for those involved,鈥� Lawson wrote. 鈥淥ur youth are going to make mistakes, and it is the role of the adults to bring concerns forward in a respectful manner. It is important that we discuss our actions and understand the hurt that others may feel from our actions.鈥�

Beyond the incident itself, Lawson said it was 鈥渦nfortunate鈥� that the picture made it into the yearbook.

鈥淥ur yearbook is a celebration that is a reflection of our school,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淚 apologize to the students who cherish our yearbooks and fondly look through them for bringing back special memories from high school.鈥�

It was Makena Lejeune, who was a high school student in Chilliwack in 2017, who posted the photo on her Instagram feed and urged others to share it and tag @gwg_grizzlies.

She wrote that staff at the time brushed off the incident.

鈥淭he fact that teachers allowed this to happen is unacceptable,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淭he fact that there were no repercussions for the staff and students that allowed this to happen is unacceptable.鈥�

With race relations top of mind the last few weeks with the death of George Floyd, Lejeune noted that GW Graham posted a black square on social media to show solidarity with black students.

鈥淏ut that was performative,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 tell me a school that allows blackface in their yearbook actually cares about black students and other minority students.鈥�

In his letter, Lawson expressed gratitude to those who brought it to his attention and pledged that the school will do better.

鈥淲e will build on the strengths of GW Graham and ensure that we are an inclusive school that provides exciting opportunities in a caring environment,鈥� he wrote.

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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