Why Are These Wisconsin High School Kids Doing the Hitler Salute in a Class Photo?

The photo was originally tweeted out with the caption, "We even got the black kid to throw it up #barabooproud"

By Justin Kamp  |  November 12, 2018 | 10:48am
Images via Baraboo School District/YouTube
Politics News White Supremacy
Why Are These Wisconsin High School Kids Doing the Hitler Salute in a Class Photo?
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A picture of more than 50 students from Baraboo High School in Baraboo, Wis., doing the “seig heil” salute has gone viral, raising questions of racism at the school and in the town. The picture appears to show a group of young men in suits standing together and saluting. The men in the picture are reportedly members of the 2019 class, and the picture was taken before their junior prom. The salute was allegedly the suggestion of the hired photographer.

The picture was originally tweeted out by a private account under the handle @GoBaraboo, with the caption, “We even got the black kid to throw it up #barabooproud.” That tweet has since been deleted, but the picture and caption have gone viral, with allegations of racism and administrative inaction at the school pouring in as a result.

One such report alleges that a “mixed” student was targeted on Instagram, with the caption using a racial slur against her. When she reported it to the administration, “they said ‘they couldn’t prove it was her’.”

Another message shows screenshots of a Snapchat video posted to a student’s story with the caption “dirty mexicans in bound.”

Baraboo School District administrator Lori Mueller took to Twitter Monday to condemn the photo, saying that the district “will pursue any and all available and appropriate actions, including legal, to address.”

The Auschwitz Memorial has also tweeted a response:

Find the full Twitter thread here.

 
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