Black MCPS Students, Alumni Share Stories Of Discrimination

BETHESDA, MD — Black students and alumni of Walt Whitman High School are speaking out about the racism they say they experienced while attending the majority-white institution.

Their experiences are being shared on an anonymous Instagram account called "Black At Whitman." The account was created shortly after Montgomery County police found a drawing of a noose and a racial slur spray-painted on school property. That was the second time the school was vandalized with racist graffiti this year.

"This country is on the brink of a revolution due to the recent tragedies of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and Dominique Fells," the account's creator wrote. "We have decided to come together to share our stories as a starting point for much needed, important conversations in the community, with the hope of producing change and providing support for the current and future Black students at Whitman."

As of Monday morning, Black At Whitman's Instagram page has amassed 2,004 followers.

"I was threatened by a white student that I would be lynched the next day," one post read.

Another said: "Our school sucked. Kids did not hid their racism. When we would play sport team with predominately Black male or female athletes, insults like 'go back to Africa,' 'he's malnourished,' or monkey noises would come out of the stands. It was so awful. I would never go cuz I was so ashamed of my school."

Whitman students past and present aren't the only ones sharing their experiences.

According to The New York Times, students at San Marcos High School in California are also using an anonymous Instagram account to expose racism. That account shares screen shots and videos of high school students using racial slurs, partaking in cultural appropriation, and participating in the "George Floyd challenge."

The story about Black At Whitman's Instagram account was first reported by Montgomery Community Media.