Barrington High School has apologized after students took part in a mock slave auction over the weekend.
The incident occurred “during the Illinois Junior Classical League Convention at the Westin hotel in Itasca.” The students chose the auction “to display their knowledge of Greek and Roman cultures.”
The Barrington School District offers sincere apologies to those offended by a skit our high school Latin students…
Posted by Barrington 220 School District on Sunday, February 28, 2016
Parents from the Kenwood Academy caught the auction on video. They “couldn’t believe what they saw.” They described it as an “open display of racism and are deeply offended.”
The National Junior Classical League released a statement:
The National Junior Classical League along with its parent organization the American Classical League regret to hear of the incident which took place this weekend at the Illinois Junior Classical League Convention. We echo the apologies issued by the Illinois JCL as well as the sponsor, the students, and the school district involved. This incident in no way reflects the values we have as an organization which seeks to promote the study of Latin, Classics, and the Ancient World. The NJCL is predicated upon the values of brotherhood, friendship, scholarship, and inclusion. We deeply apologize for the hurt this incident has caused.