School cancels Spirit Week after students wear cornrows and chains for ‘Thug Day’

A Houston high school canceled the remainder of its annual Spirit Week after students wore corn rows, chains and baggy jerseys for an unofficial “Thug Day.”

On Tuesday, the day’s theme was “Jersey Day,” but Memorial High School senior Rachel Goodwin said many students call it “Thug Day” instead, HuffPost reported.

In photos Goodwin posted on Twitter, white students are posing in oversized jerseys, fake tattoo sleeves and baggy shorts. One student has the word “THUG” written on her right hand knuckles.

Memorial High School’s “thug” day for rising senior spirit week… yes this ACTUALLY happened TODAY at an actual high school but y’all keep saying “racism isnt a problem anymore”… right alright. pic.twitter.com/f3qHXR0B53

— Rach (@Rachellemmma) May 14, 2019

Other photos show students with fake tattoos reading “$WAG” and wearing handcuffs.

“Memorial High School’s ‘thug’ day for rising senior spirit week… yes this ACTUALLY happened TODAY at an actual high school but y’all keep saying ‘racism isnt a problem anymore’… right alright,” Goodwin tweeted on Tuesday.

Goodwin’s post has been retweeted more than 17,000 times, and thousands have posted comments expressing outrage.

“Black people with this hair are denied jobs, internships, and get harrassed at their schools. Here, Memorial High School students, are using it as costume. It’s rude. It’s racist,” one user wrote.

–Black people with this hair are denied jobs, internships, and get harrassed at their schools. Here, Memorial High School students, are using it as costume. It’s rude. It’s racist. https://t.co/wTDaGuFvDg

— K. Araniva (@_katsaturday) May 15, 2019

“Disappointed but not surprised,” another wrote.

disappointed but not surprised pic.twitter.com/UoJPbpTKY2

— jaz wit luv (@jooniebej0nes) May 15, 2019

In a statement sent to parents, administrators confirmed the rest of the spirit week themes were canceled, according to KHOU.{mosads}

“On Tuesday, some rising juniors wore inappropriate dress and body/hair decorations as part of an alternative, unapproved response to the theme day. While the majority of rising juniors followed the approved dress theme on Tuesday, any instance of an inappropriate or offensive dress violation will not be tolerated. Students found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and dress code will be given a consequence.”

As many as 30 students showed up to school wearing similar outfits before school administrators said the rest of Spirit Week was canceled, HuffPost reported.