Parents sue school over video that shows white students carrying out faux executions of another student in blackface

Parents argued that actions were on par with a ‘hate crime’

Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa (Google Street View)

School authorities in western Iowa have been sued by parents of a Black student for a video allegedly showing white students acting-out an execution while in “blackface”.

In the lawsuit, which was filed in Iowa’s Scott County on 18 January, the leaders of Pleasant Valley High School were accused by parents of failing to inform them about an “abhorrent” and “racist” video.

The clip, which was originally shared to TikTok in January 2020 by two white teenagers at the school in Bettendorf, Iowa, allegedly shows one student in “blackface” makeup while racial slurs and music appear in the soundtrack.

The white student wearing “blackface” is later executed in the video, which was obtained last week by KWQC News, who said it would not share the footage.

It was the subject of recent complaints from parents after it resurfaced in December 2021 – almost two years after it was first shared on TikTok, the popular social media platform.

The parents allege that the school’s superintendent only admitted to the video resurfacing last month, and despite complaints from students at Pleasant Valley when the clip surfaced in January 2020.

That allegedly stopped them from “being able to parent” and to protect their child from the “harms, trauma, and emotional distress” caused by the video.

While the head of the school district described the video as “racist” and “abhorrent,” the parents went on to argue in the lawsuit that failing to take action was akin to allowing a “hate crime” to go without an investigation.

Iowa, as do other US states, forbids racially motivated hate crimes. Both students who appeared in the TikTok are meanwhile still enrolled at the high school.

Pleasant Valley superintendent Brian Strusz told The Independent he was aware of the lawsuit, but could not comment on specifics because of the on pending litigation.

“This video is inappropriate and abhorrent, and the district continues to work to create an inclusive environment for all students,” said Mr Struz in a statement. As a district, events like this, whether occurring in school or outside of school, emphasizes the work we continue to have to do to create an inclusive environment where all students feel safe and respected no matter the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status.

The parents are thought to be seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.