A California middle school student has recently been suspended and barred from attending future sporting events in the school district after being accused of wearing blackface at a football game. The incident, which occurred on October 13, was first brought to the public’s attention by the popular X account Libs of TikTok. The game took place between La Jolla High School and Morse High School, and the student, identified as J.A., reportedly wore black face paint under his eyes for the game.
The principal of Muirlands Middle School in La Jolla responded to the incident by calling J.A. and his parents to a meeting, where it was determined that the student would face a two-day suspension and be barred from attending future athletic events for wearing blackface. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending freedom of speech, intervened in the matter to protect the student’s rights.
FIRE expressed concern over the school’s handling of the situation and called for a reversal of the decision in a letter to the school’s principal. The group argued that J.A.’s appearance was not blackface but rather a common style used by athletes and fans to show team spirit. They emphasized that the use of eye black, similar to what J.A. wore, is a trend that has no racial connotations.
Furthermore, FIRE referenced the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines, which established First Amendment rights for public school students. The group highlighted that school officials cannot restrict student speech unless there is evidence of disruption or material harm. In this case, FIRE argued that there was no evidence of disruption caused by J.A.’s face paint at the game or in school afterward.
FIRE called on the school to remove the disciplinary record and lift the ban on J.A.’s attendance at future athletic events. They requested a response to their letter by November 22 from both the school and local school district officials. The San Diego Unified School District has not yet responded to requests for comment.
In conclusion, the incident involving a California middle school student accused of wearing blackface at a football game has sparked controversy. While the school has taken disciplinary action, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has intervened to protect the student’s rights and argued that the face paint worn by the student was not blackface but rather a common trend among athletes. This incident raises questions about freedom of speech in public schools and the appropriate response to alleged offensive behavior.
