CHS STUDENTS SORRY FOR RACIALLY OFFENSIVE INSTAGRAM, SAYS MOM

The two Columbia High School students who posted the Instagram image that appeared to show them in black face with a racially offensive caption did not mean any harm, according to one of the student's mothers, who said they have apologized and suffered some backlash from other students.

The mother, who requested anonymity, said her 10th-grade daughter and another student were doing home beauty care a year ago with a brown facial scrub mask. They took a photo and posted it on Instagram with the offensive comment as a joke and a tribute to rap music. 

"It was done in a moment of playing and they didn't mean to hurt anyone," the mother, a Maplewood resident, said. "It was not done out of malice. when it was pointed out to them they were hurt. They were very ashamed and apologized for any hurt they caused anyone. They were just ignorant of the history of black face."

The image did not gain attention until this past week when it was copied and spread among many students. It also sparked two announcements by CHS Principal Elizabeth Aaron with warnings about social media.

"The amount of backlash and the amount of support they have been receiving has been surprising," the mother said. "Some people are willing to hear their apology and accept it and some are not."

Maplewoodian.com has removed the image from our website at the mother's request. But the original story remains and we will continue to follow any developments.

"We're sorry that this happened," she added. "And we'd never want to hurt anyone."