Tyler Independent School District is investigating after racist messages from Robert E. Lee High School students began circulating on social media.
In the messages, which appear to have originated on Instagram, a group of students use racist and threatening language discussing a student who said she refuses to compete wearing the name Lee on her uniform.
“Aye (student) we’re not taking any s---- from those n----rs i’m keeping a f---ing knife next year. They’re gonna be on that bull s----,” one says.
Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said he has been in contact with Lee Principal Dr. Dan Crawford, who is addressing the situation. They have initiated engagement of Tyler ISD’s police department. He also noted that Student Code of Conduct measures as allowable by district and state policies are available.
This message appears to be in response to a student posting a news story and stating people who don’t like the name should leave.
The student who posted the story later issues an apology for his post, claiming it was not directed toward the student in the news story he shared and was not about race.
A message from a different student in the group chat reads “Shes black you can’t blame her cause she’s not as smart as our white supremacy selfs (sic).”
A third student commented “Civil War II.”
The district also released a statement regarding the messages on Friday.
“Tyler ISD is aware of inappropriate comments made by some current students that was shared on social media. Tyler ISD administrators are immediately addressing the situation,” the statement reads. “The district want to assure the community that such comments do not align with the ideals of Tyler ISD and that appropriate measures will be taken as allowable by district policy through the code of conduct. Due to student privacy laws, the district cannot release any more information regarding the students’ identities or disciplinary matters.”
The Tyler Morning Telegraph does not identify minors involved in investigations.