Farmington Hills Teacher Removed After Racial Slur Toward Student

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — A Farmington teacher was removed from the school Thursday after making a racist comment toward a Black student, which prompted students to walk out and protest, according to reports.

The substitute teacher at Farmington High School was recorded telling a black student to "get your cotton-picking hands off of it," as the student was touching an object in the classroom.

The term "cotton picking" dates back to American slavery, in which African-American slaves in the southern states were forced to pick cotton on plantation farms.

The video shared with WXYZ was quickly shared and students from Farmington Hills High School and nearby North Farmington High School walked out of class, chanting "Black Lives Matter" as they marched toward the school administration building in Downtown Farmington.

The school district said in a letter sent home to parents that the teacher was immediately removed from the high school and will not teach there again, or anywhere else in the district.

"The school is working hard to support anyone who was hurt, troubled, or concerned by this incident, and we will continue dedicating ourselves to eradicating this type of behavior," Superintendent Chris Delgado said. "Racism, whether implied or direct, whether in words or actions, has no place in any of or schools."