Florida Student Banned From Prom Over Racist Promposal

If you had to guess what state this viral racist promposal comes from, what would you guess? If your answer was Florida, you win nothing, because of course it’s Florida.

The image, originally posted to Snapchat, has been widely shared across other social media platforms this week. It’s a promposal from 18-year-old Riverview High School student Noah Crowley. The sign reads: “If I was black I’d be picking cotton, but I’m white so I’m picking u 4 Prom?”

The Snapchat featured two heart emojis from the recipient, suggesting that she accepted his promposal. It’s worth noting that articles surrounding the controversy have refrained from identifying the recipient of the message since she’s a minor. Crowley, however, is 18 years old, so he has been identified.

Riverview High student Erin Williams shared the Snap on her Facebook, where it got national attention. Erin says there’s been rampant racism at her high school in the past weeks, where she’s been called the n-word and an “uneducated black bitch.” She also says Noah recently threw a banana at a mixed student and told him to “go fetch.” She said on Facebook: “I did not mean none of this for violence or to start a riot, I simply wanted to educate everyone on what’s been happening in our school and wanting to shine light on a dark situation.”

The school district and the principal have gotten involved. According to another Riverview student on Twitter, Noah has been banned from going to prom and from walking in graduation. Though the school itself has not yet announced any disciplinary action. According to a media statement, they’re still conducting an ongoing investigation. In a message sent to parents, principal Kathy Wilks wrote: “Many who saw the post are understandably upset with its contents as well as the subsequent commentary to the post. Riverview High School absolutely does not condone or support the message conveyed in this post.”

On Monday morning, Crowley apologized for the sign. He wrote: “Anyone who knows me [and the student he asked to prom] knows that that’s not how we truly feel. It was a complete joke and it went too far. After reading the texts and Snapchats, I truly see how I have offended people and I’m sorry.” Other students and friends of Noah have defended him, but the president of Sarasota’s NAACP chapter told the local ABC affiliate that Noah must have known what he was doing.

The district says it’s working with local leaders to create a forum to discuss the issue of race among students.

What do you think? Should Noah face more disciplinary action over the sign, or is missing out on prom punishment enough? Let us know in the comments below.

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