A preschool teacher in Miami, Florida, allegedly painted blackface on children’s faces for a Black History Month lesson, outraging parents.
Three students at Studio Kids’ Little River location were seen wearing what appeared to be brown paint on their faces in photos obtained by the Miami Herald. In the images, one boy was dressed as a bricklayer and another was dressed in a police uniform. It is not clear what the third child was dressed in.
It is also not clear what exactly the lesson consisted of.
“You should know more as an educator,” mother Courtney Politis, who is black, told the Miami Herald. “What else are you teaching our children?”
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In the photographs, three students were seen at Studio Kids’ Little River location with what appeared to be brown paint on their faces.
Since then, Politis has taken her children out of preschool.
The images initially sparked outrage after they were shared in a parent group chat. Politis then raised her concerns with Studio Kids director Patricia Vitale.
“This is racist,” Politis texted Vitale, according to a screenshot of the conversation.
Vitale replied: “I’m sorry?”
Politis replied: “Many moms are very worried.”
“What is racist?” Vitale asked, confused as to what Politis meant.
Vitale then sent a message to all the parents apologizing for the incident.
A preschool teacher in Miami, Florida, allegedly painted blackface on children’s faces for a Black History Month lesson. (FNC)
“We have not intended to offend anyone and we are very sorry for any inconvenience,” Vitale wrote in his message, according to screenshots. “Parents who know us know that we have never had a bad intention in our institution.”
Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was “shocked and somewhat unsettled” after learning about the photos. She was concerned that the incident might have involved her son, but she eventually found out that it involved another class. She then told her son’s teacher that the lesson was “inappropriate” and that she wanted to talk to the principal.
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In the images, one boy was dressed as a bricklayer and another was dressed in a police uniform. It is not clear what the third child was dressed in. (iStock)
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“How can I trust them to make the decision about what to show my little boy?” she said.
Vitale told the Miami Herald that the problem has been resolved and “80 percent of the families are fine.” He directed any further questions to his attorney.
According to Studio Kids parents who spoke to the outlet, the school is primarily Latino. Politis said the teacher who taught the blackface lesson is Latina.
