High School Students Under Fire For Making Nazi Salute In Prom Photo

A group of around 50 boys from Baraboo High School in Wisconsin are facing serious backlash after they posed for a group photo before prom while making the Nazi salute. The photo was shared on Twitter and sparked outrage from community members. 

Baraboo School District Administrator Lori Mueller responded to the photo in a tweet saying it "is not reflective of the educational values and beliefs of the School District of Baraboo." She promised that the "district will pursue any and all available and appropriate actions, including legal, to address," and the Baraboo Police Department confirmed they are assisting with the investigation

Baraboo School Board President Kevin Vodak spoke as a private citizen during Monday (November 12) night's board meeting and said that the photo "disappointed me, shamed, appalled and angered me."

“The photo has shaken to the core my personal belief of the process that we as a community and as a school district have made to be tolerant, inclusive, accepting and admitting of all of those who are different from ourselves.”

One of the students, Jordan Blue, who refused to make the gesture, explained that it was the photographer who asked the kids to make the salute.

“It was very upsetting to me,” he said. “It was very disrespectful to what my beliefs are, and it was a very bad representation of the senior class and the Baraboo School District because by all means, the Baraboo School District does not support that kind of actions and it is a district that provides many opportunities for the students.”

The photo was originally posted on the website of the photographer, Pete Gust, who has since pulled it down. 

“The internet can be a wonderful tool but for some there is an overwhelming urge to destroy,” his website said. “The destruction may not be physical but instead it can be bullying that is intellectual or emotional. To anyone that was hurt I sincerely apologize.”

A journalist said that after he shared the photo on his personal account, he received hundreds of direct messages describing the "casual & jokey racism, homophobia, and transphobia that is accepted as a part of life" at Baraboo High School.


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