Members of the Edina High School community are calling for more to be done after a video that mocked Asian students and showed Nazi salutes surfaced, CBS Minnesota reports.
The video, which has been deleted by the original poster, shows three White boys talk to each other in what appear to be Asian accents as two White girls look on and laugh. One boy stands up and gives a Nazi salute. Later in the video, one of the girls, speaking in a mock Asian accent, says, “Your boyfriend think you’re ugly.”
Principal Andrew Beaton released a statement on Monday condemning the video. He says the district is launching an investigation, The Star Tribune reports.
“We understand that this has caused harm to members of our school community and [we] will create a space for students to speak about how this has impacted them,” Beaton said in the statement. “Our mission is to create an equitable and inclusive school culture, and a positive learning environment for every student.”
Edina High School senior Louisa Darr just finished performing “Man of God,” a play that discusses violence against Asian woman. She told KARE11 she was disappointed when she saw the video.
“I honestly felt disappointed and heartbroken that — I mean, this is nothing new — I guess the fact that it’s students I know,” Darr explained. “Kids I was with every day in class, and I know I can speak for myself on behalf of my Asian and Jewish peers that we’re scared and we’re very disappointed.”
Darr wants to see the discussion surrounding the video continue. Asian and Jewish leaders agree that education is key to preventing further racist videos.
“Talk about the issue directly but also move through it and talk about the opportunities to work together to not have to have this experience again,” ThaoMee Xiong, executive and network director for the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, told CBS Minnesota. “I think the best anecdote to racial discrimination is to building community.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story, or making a contribution.
