Harlan Kirgan
The Lafayette Diocese and St. Edmund administrators said they are investigating a reported case of a hazing involving cheerleaders at St. Edmund High School wearing “blackface.”
A photo of girls identified as cheerleaders was posted on social media that appeared to mock Eunice High School cheerleaders. The girls reportedly used Nutella, and peanut butter and honey to present the “blackface.”
Monsignor J. Robert Romero, chancellor at St. Edmund Catholic School, issued a statement, “We have been recently informed of pictures involving St. Edmund Catholic School students. We would like to express gratitude to those who brought this to our attention. St. Edmund Catholic School in cooperation with officials from the Diocese of Lafayette is taking this matter very seriously. Upon completion of our ongoing investigation, appropriate actions will be taken. Racially offensive pictures are contrary to the values of the Roman Catholic Church and will not be tolerated in our school. As Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua and Chancellor of St. Edmund Catholic School, I deeply regret and apologize for the distress caused by this incident.”
The monsignor’s statement was one of many presented after the social media posting became known.
Mitchell Fontenot, principal at Eunice Senior High School, stated on the school’s Facebook page, “In conjunction with the St. Edmund High School and the diocese of Lafayette, St. Landry School District and Eunice High School have been actively addressing the concerns of the community.
“We want to ensure the community, that the incident is being actively investigated by the Diocese and addressed by the St. Landry Parish Schools.
“Together we will work in the spirit of unity, patience, understanding and love.”
Romero said Fontenot is not a current member of the school’s advisory council, but had served in the past.
Patrick Jenkins, St. Landry Parish public school superintendent, said the service on the Catholic school’s council does not pose a conflict.
The diocese’s statement was: “The Diocese of Lafayette has received emails and telephone calls regarding recent photos involving students at St. Edmund Catholic School, and we thank those who brought this issue to our attention. The administration of St. Edmund School and leaders of the Diocese of Lafayette are taking this matter very seriously, and an investigation is currently underway, aimed at getting all the facts. The Diocese is working closely with both Eunice High School as well as St. Edmund Catholic School during this process.
“Racially offensive conduct is contrary to the values and principles of the Roman Catholic Church and will not be tolerated in our Catholic schools. Once a full investigation is completed, any appropriate action will be taken at that time by St. Edmund School.
“The respective schools are determined to turn this situation into a very important ‘teaching moment” for their students.”
Jenkins said the investigation is up to St. Edmund and the diocese.
“They are actively investigating the incident and hopefully they will be coming to a resolution pretty soon,” Jenkins said.
“We want to work in the spirit of unity, patience and understanding,” he said.
“We know that the Eunice community is a great community and so we don’t want something like this to get out of hand and make it disruptive for all of the children in the Eunice community,” he said.
Jenkins said it has been requested that students and adults from both schools get together to discuss the issues and form a good working relationship.
Albert Hayes Jr., District 12 St. Landry Parish School Board member, said, “The little girls had a little experiment with something that always goes south and that is when white people paint their faces black. After Al Jolson it just doesn’t carry over too well.”
Hayes, who is lives in Eunice and is black, said when the “blackface” was posted on Facebook some people became apologists.
Hayes added, “You can quote me on this ‘blackface.’ Stupid idea. Brown face right up there. Why not blue?”
Hayes said, “Tell me what is not racist about it. Is it a celebration of cultural unity? Is it the sincerest form of flattery? Or, is it an attempt to caricature a race?”
Hayes said, “They acted out of a little ignorance there and let’s move on, but don’t try to justify it.”