Black Students Wearing Only Underwear Bowing Their Heads Deeply... What Is This Video That Shook the US?

Filming Video Imitating Black Slave Auction and Posting on SNS
Superintendent of Local School District Strongly Criticizes the Students Involved

Players of a high school American football team in the United States filmed a video that evokes a "slave auction" by lining up Black students, causing controversy. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] Players of a high school American football team in the United States have sparked controversy after filming a video that resembles a 'black slave auction' by lining up Black students.

On the 2nd (local time), according to multiple media outlets including CNN, the problematic video was filmed at River Valley Public High School in Yuba City, California. The media described the video as “football team members appearing to conduct a slave auction targeting their Black teammates.” The students posted the video on social networking services (SNS), and it quickly spread.

In the released video, someone knocks on the door of what appears to be a classroom, and a student wearing only underwear opens the door. Inside, a scene resembling a slave auction unfolds, intensifying the controversy.

Three Black students wearing only underwear are seen with their hands clasped and heads bowed to the floor, while other students point fingers at them and laugh loudly.

As the video spread widely on SNS, the local school district took measures to prevent the students who filmed the video from participating in the next game. Dorin Osumi, superintendent of the Yuba City Unified School District, strongly criticized the students in a statement sent to CNN, saying, “This video is extremely offensive and unacceptable.”

He added, “This is an extremely painful and regrettable incident,” and “The students involved violated the code of conduct, so they will not be allowed to participate in the remaining games.” He also stated, “Because of this, the team did not have enough players, and the remaining games were canceled.”

The superintendent further said, “We need to ensure that students understand the intent and impact,” adding, “They may have thought this farce was funny, but it is not. This is unacceptable, and we must deeply examine the issue of racism.”

Meanwhile, in March, it was revealed that students at an elementary school in North Carolina, USA, played a slave auction game involving Black students, causing shock.