Massachusetts High School Serves Fried Chicken For Black History Month Lunch

WESTWOOD, MA — Some students at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood are questioning the Catholic high school's decision to serve fried chicken for lunch as part of its Black History Month observance.

"In honor of Black History Month, one way we will celebrate is by highlighting a traditional meal each week that is a staple in Southern Black history," students were told Tuesday in an announcement over the school's public address system. "Today's lunch is fried chicken."

"It could be seen as a little racist," Liam Baker, a senior at the school, told the Patriot Ledger. "They couldn't have come up with a better thing than fried chicken for African cuisine? It doesn't really make much sense."

School officials said the menu was chosen by an African American food service employee, and the announcement also explained newly-freed Black women gained financial independence by selling fried chicken after the Civil War.

"Regrettably, our message was poorly communicated, resulting in some perceiving it as the propagation of a negative stereotype," the all-boys school said in a statement. "We are saddened by this outcome. Going forward, we will strive to ensure that all members of our community understand the significance of our efforts to celebrate Black History Month.