High school students accused of holding online slave auction during Black History Month

SOUTHWICK, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM/Gray News) - In most schools around the world, February is the month when you embrace and teach Black history. However, at a Massachusetts High School, some students took the class lessons too far.

Southwick Regional High School students are accused of holding an online “slave auction” to bid on their Black classmates.

According to WGGB, school officials received reports of possible racially-charged discrimination against Black students. Along with the students allegedly holding an online slave auction, the school also received reports that derogatory remarks were against a Black female student.

In response, the NAACP sent a letter to leaders of the school district, including Jennifer Willard, superintendent of Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools. That letter demanded an investigation into these alleged racial bullying incidents.

“In 2024, for that type of behavior to be going on among teenagers lets us know that we have a myriad of problems, one of them being the fact that racism is being passed down from generation to generation,” said Bishop Talbert Swan, president of the Greater Springfield NAACP. “We want them to be concerned about the well-being and the safeguarding of the student instead of their reputation.”

On Tuesday, superintendent Willard issued a statement that said the district emailed parents on Feb. 12 to inform them of a “highly inappropriate and racist conversation on Snapchat that involved students at Southwick Regional School.”

Willard also said the district told parents an investigation had begun and police were notified.

Willard said the district concluded its investigation on Feb. 16 but was unable to comment on specific disciplinary actions students are facing due to privacy laws.

“We can assure the community that the District does issue consequences in accordance with our school code of conduct in these types of circumstances,” Willard’s statement read. “As stated in our original email to the community, the District firmly believes that racism and discrimination have no place in our school community.”

The Hampden County’s District Attorney’s office also provided a statement to WGGB:

“On Thursday, February 15th, the Hampden District Attorney’s office became aware of an alleged hate-based incident involving juveniles in the town of Southwick. The immediate description and nature of the alleged incident prompted Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni to direct the involvement of members of his office and its Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit. Hate-based harassment and violence has no place in our community. We will investigate any such allegations and will prosecute any criminal violations vigorously.”

These allegations aren’t the first time the district has run into problems. In 2022, some students were accused of writing racial slurs in one of the men’s bathrooms at the school. At the time, in an email to parents, the principal called it one of the most disrespectful and hateful acts that he witnessed on campus, WGGB reports.

As history seems to repeat itself, Bishop Swan said it’s time to take action.

“The dignity of human beings should take place 12 months out of the year,” added Bishop Swan. “But we do put a special emphasis on the month of February. To have to deal with young men engaging in this type of racist, disrespectful type of behavior during this time is reprehensible.”

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