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"
Images via Baraboo School District/YouTube
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.
If anybody from Baraboo High School in Wisconsin can clue me in on why it appears the entire male class of 2018 is throwing up a Sig Heil during their prom photos – that would be great.
h/t @CarlySideypic.twitter.com/BL8lDVLMA4
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) November 12, 2018
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.
this post has since been deleted, but i just want @barabooSD to be aware of the disturbing actions that are represented in this photograph. this is BEYOND sickening. pic.twitter.com/Fer5heTted
— carly sidey (@CarlySidey) November 12, 2018
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’.”
Someone who would like to remain anonymous just sent me this message and picture of herself that was posted by a classmate.
Seriously, what is going on with this school? @BarabooSDpic.twitter.com/pHGbnelHct
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) November 12, 2018
Another message shows screenshots of a Snapchat video posted to a student’s story with the caption “dirty mexicans in bound.”
The DM that came with this was:
“This was posted on someone’s Snapchat story. The video is pointing to two LATINO students.” pic.twitter.com/Ub666ofESf
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) November 12, 2018
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 photo of students posted to #BarabooProud is not reflective of the educational values and beliefs of the School District of Baraboo. The District will pursue any and all available and appropriate actions, including legal, to address.
— Lori M. Mueller (@LoriMMueller) November 12, 2018
The Auschwitz Memorial has also tweeted a response:
It is so hard to find words…
This is why every single day we work hard to educate. We need to explain what is the danger of hateful ideology rising. Auschwitz with its gas chambers was at the very end of the long process of normalizing and accommodating hatred. https://t.co/13AzZaMGJR
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) November 12, 2018
Find the full Twitter thread here.