School officials in Wilton have apologized to the New Britain community after reports that Wilton High School students chanted racially charged language at a New Britain High School student during a basketball game Friday.
According to a letter from the Wilton school district to New Britain, school officials said received a report during halftime that some Wilton students had chanted the words “black face” at a New Britain student during the first half of the game. Video of the game surfaced on social media over the weekend.
Wilton school officials said after investigation they determined that the Wilton students were actually chanting the words “leg days” at a New Britain player as he took a free throw.
“The students who organized the chant reported that they were referencing the player’s legs and that he ‘missed his legs days in the weight room,’” the letter read.
Wilton went on to apologize for the “disrespectful” chant to the student and the New Britain High School community.
“Of greatest concern is what some spectators from New Britain believe they heard. We are deeply distressed and truly sorry that members of the New Britain community would believe our students capable of racist taunts."
The Consolidated School District of New Britain also responded, saying that regardless of what the words were, they hope this becomes a teachable moment.
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“We accept Wilton’s apology in words and look forward to apology in action. In discussion with Superintendent Smith, we will be bringing students from both communities together to begin our discussions. Whether the chant was ‘black face’ or ‘leg days,’ - the opportunity for growth comes from students actively being a part of a larger conversation around compassion, kindness, inclusion and their role in our society.”
