Michael Brooks
A photograph of Covington Catholic High School students wearing blackface and/or black body paint at a basketball game sparked controversy and scrutiny, with some condemning the paint as blackface and others claiming it was a school tradition related to black out games. The school and its students also faced criticism for their involvement in a viral video appearing to show them mocking a Native American elder while wearing Make America Great Again hats. This incident, along with the circulation of the photograph, has led to discussions about the culture and previous issues with race at Covington Catholic High School.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the photograph | November 2012 |
| Event | Basketball game between Covington Catholic and Clark County |
| Location | George Rogers Clark High School |
| People in the photograph | Covington Catholic students |
| What they were wearing | Blackface and/or black body paint |
| What they were doing | Yelling at a black player from the opposing team |
| Intent of wearing blackface | School tradition, showing school spirit |
| Other details | The students were wearing "Make America Great Again" hats |
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What You'll Learn
The photo is real, but it was not racist
The photo of Covington Catholic students in blackface is real, but the students claim it was not racist. The photo, which shows students covered in black paint, was taken during a basketball game against Clark County High School in November 2012. It resurfaced on social media in January 2019, sparking controversy and accusations of racism.
Covington Catholic students have defended themselves, saying that wearing black paint was a school tradition during "blackout" games, where fans wore black to show support for their team. They denied any racist intent, calling it a display of "school spirit". One student, Sam Schroder, explained that the school had various themes for pep rallies, such as "nerd" or "business", and that the black paint was just another theme. He stated that the students “meant nothing by it”.
While some have accepted these explanations, others have criticized the students' behaviour. One basketball player who competed against Covington Catholic in 2015 recalled the students' chants with racial overtones, such as "caramel, caramel", directed at him as the only black player on the floor. Additionally, some have pointed out the resemblance between the blackface in the photo and racist caricatures from minstrel shows of the 19th century.
The incident gained widespread attention due to a separate controversy involving Covington Catholic students. In January 2019, a video went viral showing a group of students from the school confronting a Native American activist, Nathan Phillips, in Washington, DC. This incident sparked further scrutiny of the school's culture and previous incidents, including the blackface photo.
While the photo of Covington Catholic students in blackface is indeed real, the interpretation of its racial implications is disputed. The students involved have consistently denied any racist intent, attributing their actions to school spirit and tradition. However, the photo has raised concerns about the school's history with race-related issues and the potential for misinterpretation or offensive behaviour, even if unintentional.
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Covington Catholic students claim it was 'school spirit'
In 2019, a photograph of Covington Catholic High School students wearing blackface and/or black body paint at a basketball game resurfaced and sparked controversy. The image was shared on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, with some users condemning the paint as blackface and others defending it as a school tradition or "blackout" theme.
Covington Catholic students have claimed that the use of blackface in the photograph was simply a display of school spirit. On an episode of Fox & Friends, host Steve Doocy asked Covington students Sam Schroder and Grant Hillmann about the photo, which was taken five years ago and had resurfaced on social media. Schroder explained that the students participate in different themes during pep rallies, such as "nerd, business, white-out, blue-out, and black-out" days, to show their school spirit. He stated that the use of black paint was not meant to be racist and that it had been discontinued since the incident.
Other students and alumni have supported this claim, stating that the cheering section's behaviour and dress were consistent across all teams, regardless of race or ethnicity. They argued that it was a tradition related to "blackout" games, where fans wore black to support the team. However, some have criticised this explanation, drawing connections to racist minstrel shows from the 19th century that used blackface to depict African Americans negatively.
The controversy surrounding the photograph adds to a series of incidents involving Covington Catholic High School students, including a viral video from 2019 showing a group of students allegedly mocking a Native American elder at the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, D.C. The school has faced scrutiny and accusations of racism, with some calling for accountability and disciplinary action.
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The photo was taken at a basketball game
The photo in question, which shows students from Covington Catholic High School wearing blackface and/or black body paint, was indeed taken at a basketball game. The image first surfaced in December 2015 on BluegrassPreps.com and was shared again on social media in January 2019 following a separate incident involving students from the same school. The photo appears to be from a November 2012 basketball game between Covington Catholic and Clark County, based on the opposing player's uniform.
In the photo, Covington students can be seen wearing black paint on their faces, chests, and arms, following school chants and motions. This practice was reportedly part of a school tradition known as "blackout" or "black out" games, where fans wore black to support the team. However, the image sparked controversy as it resembled racist caricature and minstrel shows from the 19th century that used blackface to depict African Americans negatively.
The basketball game in the photo was Covington Catholic's season-opening game at George Rogers Clark High School on November 27, 2012, which Covington won 59-38. The intent behind the black body paint has been a subject of debate, with some claiming it was related to "blackout" games and others pointing out its resemblance to racist caricature. Covington Catholic has faced scrutiny and allegations of racism following the resurfacing of this photo and other incidents involving students' behavior towards Native American activists and black players from opposing teams.
It's important to note that the school and its students have denied any racist intent, attributing the blackface to school spirit and tradition. However, the photo and other similar incidents have sparked important conversations about race and the use of blackface, leading to increased scrutiny of the school and its culture. The photo of the basketball game continues to circulate as a symbol of the complex issues surrounding race and cultural sensitivity in educational institutions.
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The school received threats and closed
In 2019, Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky received backlash for a viral video that appeared to show students mocking a Native American elder, Nathan Phillips, while wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. Following this incident, other videos and photos surfaced of Covington students wearing blackface and/or black body paint during basketball games and pep rallies. The students claimed that wearing black paint was a school tradition and a way to show school spirit during "blackout" events, where fans wore black to support the team. However, the behavior and dress of the students were widely condemned as racist and reminiscent of minstrel shows from the 19th century.
As a result of the controversy, the school received threats, and classes were canceled for a day. The exact nature of the threats is not publicly known, but they were serious enough to prompt the school's administration to close the school temporarily. It is unclear how long the school remained closed or if any further actions or investigations were taken by the school or local authorities in response to the threats.
The incident sparked intense discussions on social media and in the media about racial issues and the culture at Covington Catholic High School. Some people defended the students, arguing that their actions were not racially motivated, while others criticized the school's handling of the situation and called for accountability. The controversy also led to a broader conversation about racism in educational institutions and the need for better discipline and racial sensitivity in schools.
The Covington Catholic blackface incident and its aftermath highlight the complexities of race relations in the United States and the ongoing struggle to address racism and promote inclusivity in educational settings. While the school's temporary closure due to threats may have provided a temporary respite from the situation, it also underscores the need for constructive dialogue, education, and systemic changes to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment in schools and beyond.
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The photo was posted on Covington Catholic's YouTube account
The photo in question, depicting students wearing blackface and/or black body paint, was indeed posted on Covington Catholic's official YouTube account. The video, titled "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video," was uploaded in 2012 but was later removed following media inquiries and public backlash. This incident sparked widespread controversy and scrutiny, with many condemning the students' behaviour as racist and inappropriate.
The video showed students with their faces, chests, and arms covered in black paint, participating in what was described as a school tradition of "blackout" games, where fans wore black to support their basketball team. However, the exaggerated portrayal of facial features by some students recalled racist caricatures, leading to accusations of racist minstrelsy. The photo also appeared to show Covington students yelling at or around an opposing player, who is black, further exacerbating the perception of racial targeting and insensitivity.
While some Covington students, such as Sam Schroder, have defended the behaviour as merely showing school spirit and having no racist intent, others have acknowledged the disturbing nature of the images. The school itself has faced intense scrutiny and has been described as "notorious for being a not-well-disciplined school." This incident has also brought to light other instances of Covington students allegedly mocking a Native American elder, Nathan Phillips, and displaying racist behaviour during a confrontation at the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, D.C.
The photo and subsequent controversy have led to a broader conversation about the culture at Covington Catholic, with reports indicating that the school has had issues with race for years. The school's response to the incident has been one of investigation and consideration of punishments, while also receiving threats that led to temporary school closures. The photo and video posted on Covington Catholic's YouTube account have sparked a broader dialogue about racial sensitivity, the implications of school traditions, and the responsibility of educational institutions in addressing and preventing such incidents.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the picture is real. The photograph shows a Covington Catholic High School basketball game with students wearing blackface and/or black body paint in the stands.
The picture was taken at a basketball game between Covington Catholic and Clark County in 2012. The Covington Catholic students were participating in a blackout theme, where fans wore black to support the team.
The picture sparked controversy and condemnation on social media, with many people interpreting the use of blackface as racist. Covington Catholic students and President Donald Trump defended the students, claiming that they were simply showing school spirit and that the incident was an example of fake news.
The school received threats following the incident, which led to the cancellation of classes. The school also came under significant public and news media scrutiny, and the students involved faced potential punishments.
