Last week, former Stuyvesant student Alexis Marie Wint posted a video to YouTube of four current students—all white—poorly performing a rap song rife with racist and misogynistic lyrics, some that appeared to be directed at a black fellow student. CBS has confirmed that "the Department of Education has started a disciplinary proceeding that could result in suspensions," in addition to sending the Anti-Defamation League to the school to teach three, six-hour sessions.
Principal Stanley Teitel released a statement (PDF) shortly after the video went viral affirming his administration's commitment to "take all necessary and appropriate disciplinary and follow-up action" and urging students who "are the subject of any discriminatory bullying or harassment by other students" to "speak to their teachers."
Wint told CBS that she "had personal experiences" with racism at Stuyvesant which led her to publicize the video, and a mother of a black senior noted that her daughter has been "called 'the N word'" at school. Wint writes on her Tumblr that while some "progress" has been made, "[CBS] neglected to interview any black students," who make up less than 3% of Stuyvesant's total enrollment.
