California Teacher Put On Administrative Leave For Wearing Blackface To Imitate Common

Source: Twitter

The Milpitas school district released a statement and is currently investigating the situation.

A California high school teacher is currently under investigation after appearing in a video wearing blackface. The video, taken by Milpitas High School junior Karrington Kenney, shows the teacher imitating a Microsoft commercial featuring the rapper Common. He reportedly wore the costume for two entire periods on Halloween before administrators caught on.

READ: Virginia Attorney General Says He Wore Blackface In College To Look Like Kurtis Blow

"I go to a very diverse school so to see that he really thought that was okay really hurts," Kenney said to KTVU, a local FOX affiliate. "Especially being one of the handful of Black people that we have at our school." Kenney is also vice-president of the school's Black Student Union.

The Milpitas Unified School District has since released a statement, saying:

"Blackface paint has a historical and present-day connotation of racism that demeans those of African ancestry. The act was disparaging to our students, parents, colleagues, and the Milpitas community we serve."

According to KTVU, the teacher is currently on administrative leave.

In related news, South Carolina Republican sheriff candidate Craig Stivender sparked headlines a few weeks ago after he revealed he wore blackface at a Halloween party ten years ago.

Stivender claimed he intended to poke fun at Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, the infamous leader of the criminal organization Black Mafia Family (BMF.)

"I did it to disparage a criminal whose actions hurt our community and country," he said. "That was a different time. Today we understand that type of costume is troubling to many. To those who may be upset, I understand your disappointment. But I value honesty, so I'm opening my campaign with transparency."

Source: KTVU