St. George, Utah (KuTV) — Several parents were upset because two students showed up to a “blackout” high school football game in St. George wearing black face paint.
One parent who spoke to KUTV said the students even received an award for best school spirit and took a photo with the cheerleaders.
The incident occurred Friday night at Pine View High School’s football game. The Panthers were hosting another high school from Cedar City.
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One parent said his daughter was at the game and said everyone had to wear black.
He posted photos, which he said were taken by a cheerleading coach, of the two students with several cheerleaders. One of those present said the students were holding an award for their school spirit.
The two students wore shorts, sleeveless shirts and hats, almost all of which were black. One student’s face was black. The other had black all over his head, except around his mouth and chin.
His daughter noticed and was shocked that none of the teachers, parents or coaches seemed bothered by it.
The parent said he, his daughter and another black student had a meeting Monday with Assistant Principal Rusty Taylor, executive director of high schools in Washington County.
He said the director was not present at the meeting.
He also said that many parents had commented on his post. Many said it was a “blackout game” and that it was an expression of school spirit, not racism.
“They won an award for being loud in the student area,” said one commenter. “It was just school spirit and not racially motivated at all. This post blows it out of proportion.”
“It’s 2024 and those of us whose black children attend this school can no longer make excuses,” said another commenter. “This has been happening at this school on a regular basis since 2014, it’s not OK!”
The parent KUTV spoke to said the students may not have known about the meaning and history of blackface makeup, but there were adults – teachers, coaches and other parents – who should have known better.
Former Governor Gary Herbert made the remarks following an October 2022 incident in which teenagers were caught on camera wearing blackface makeup. In one video, the group of Utah teenagers wore blackface, prison-themed costumes at a Cedar City Walmart.
“I wonder if they had any understanding, if they realized what they were doing,” he said at the time. “Maybe they did it because they thought it was funny or witty. It’s hurtful and disappointing that they even think about it.”
KUTV has reached out to the Washington County School District for comment and will update this story after speaking with a spokesperson.
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