What happened at Paschal High School in Fort Worth?

The district said, “This was inexcusable. The language used in the video is neither acceptable nor representative of Paschal High School or any other school..."

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Ministers group calls for civil rights investigation
Students say slurs common
What happened at Paschal High School?
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FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Kent Scribner is recommending that a teacher be fired after a video involving a student using “racially insensitive” language has been circulating online.

Scribner in a statement Thursday said he was "disgusted by the inexcusable behavior that took place" recently in a Paschal High School classroom.

The 3-minute and 18-second cellphone video is grainy in quality. It’s unclear who took the video. The district said the video shows a student repeatedly using the N-word, other racial slurs, and derogatory references during what appears to be a classroom presentation.

"There is no place for this kind of language in our society, much less in our schools," Scribner said. "I am appalled by the conduct of the adult in the room and saddened by the message that it sends to our students."

“The point is not to be offensive. It’s his interpretation,” a teacher in the room is heard saying at one point during the recording.

Scribner said he was is recommending to the Fort Worth school board that the teacher supervising the students "no longer be employed by Fort Worth ISD."

The names of the teacher and the student have not been released.

In the letter, the district said, “This was inexcusable. The language used in the video is neither acceptable nor representative of Paschal High School or any other school in the Fort Worth ISD.”

The district also said staff at Paschal High School along with the administration was taking the incident seriously, and that the appropriate action will be taken after the investigation is over.

The district ended the letter to parents by saying it was “committed to preserving an environment where all students feel respected and safe.”

While the district didn't confirm what the classroom assignment was, parents told WFAA that students were asked to write and present their interpretations of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

A group of clergy members and community members gathered outside the high school campus Thursday morning.

“What kind of school district is this, where this kind of thing is allowed to go on,” asked Michael Bell, as he addressed the video that’s making its rounds on social media.

As the news began to circulate, members of an organization called Ministers of Justice Coalition of Texas and the Pastors for Progress also announced they would hold a news conference Thursday to denounce the remarks made in the video.

“Who would give such an assignment in the current climate?” asked Pastor Kyev Tatum.

Clergy and community members are issuing some demands to Fort Worth ISD. In addition to filing a federal civil rights complaint, they are demanding certain school staff be fired. They are also calling for more district-wide training.

The school board met during a special board meeting Thursday evening, but the Paschal High School issue wasn't on the agenda and it wasn't brought up.

A Fort Worth high school student used multiple racial slurs in a classroom presentation while other students laughed, according to a video that has circulated online.

Paschal High School and the Fort Worth school district are investigating the incident that occurred in a Paschal classroom, calling it “inexcusable.”

Although the intent behind the presentation is unclear, the almost three-minute video starts with someone who appears to be a teacher saying, “The point is not to be offended. It’s his interpretation.”

The student proceeds to use a racial slur seven times. He appears to be reading from a piece of paper while he references slavery and uses other vulgar language.

Halfway through, a teacher interrupts, saying, “We’re not trying to set this in pre-Civil War. ... We’re trying to stay as true to the original text as possible.” The student proceeds with the presentation and continues using racial slurs.

School leaders sent an email to Paschal families saying, in part:

“We have been made aware of a video recorded in one of our classes last week in which a student used profane, derogatory and racially insensitive language in a classroom assignment. This was inexcusable. The language used in this video was neither acceptable nor representative of Paschal High School or of any other school in Fort Worth ISD.”

The email said that action will be taken but doesn’t provide details. A district spokesperson said the district would not identify the teacher involved.

“I am disgusted by the inexcusable behavior that took place in a Paschal High School classroom,” Superintendent Kent Scribner said in a statement. “There is no place for this kind of language in our society, much less in our schools. I am appalled by the conduct of the adult in the room and saddened by the message that it sends to our students.”

Scribner said he recommends that the teacher no longer be employed by the Fort Worth school district.

Ministers group calls for civil rights investigation

The Rev. Kyev Tatum, president of Ministers of Justice Coalition of Texas, applauded the superintendent’s desire to terminate the teacher. Speaking at a Thursday news conference with other members of the coalition, Tatum said there’s more work to be done.

“We know that this has been systemic, it’s historic, and it’s hurtful, it’s harmful, and it’s hindering our kids from getting a quality education,” he said.

Mariana Rivas is a bilingual reporter who covers racial equity and diversity issues in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. She is a recent journalism graduate from TCU and grew up in Houston. She is passionate about factual reporting that makes an impact. Her position is funded with a grant from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation. Send any tips, comments or questions via email.

What happened at Paschal High School?

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth ISD is investigating racist comments made during a class presentation on slavery at Paschal High School. The superintendent addressed the incident, and he's recommended the teacher be fired.