Georgia community outraged by the blackface photo that went viral on social media. PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

By David L Snelling

Miami – The NAACP is calling for an investigation after a photo went viral on social media showing five white people in blackface at a high school volleyball game in Fayetteville, Georgia.

The largest civil rights organization calls the photo disturbing and repugnant and is demanding the school district launch a probe, and change its regulations for high school games to prohibit racially-charged gestures.

Last week, parents stormed inside the Fayetteville County Board of Education meeting to express outrage over the photo, calling it hurtful and inhumane.

“I got a notice that said, Oh, they had a blackout game. Well blackout means simply just wearing black, not on your face, you know, because that in itself is offensive,” said Fayette County NAACP Vice President Quentin Pullen.

The incident unfolded at a girls’ volleyball game between Whitewater High School and LaGrange High School.

The picture shows five people standing side by side with black paint covering their faces and bodies at a blackout-themed game at Whitewater High School in Fayette County.

Each person was wearing a white curly or Afro-style wig and smiling to show their teeth. Each also had a letter on their chest, spelling “RYLEE” in the photo.

“I’m trying to figure out why in 2025, this is not entertainment, this is not cute, this is not fun. Why would someone do this in 2025? In a school where our babies go to learn, when our families go to a volleyball game for entertainment, they shouldn’t be faced with this,” Georgia Democratic state Rep. Derrick Jackson told reporters at a news conference.

Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Patterson said at the school board meeting that the group included one non-Whitewater student and several adults.

Patterson didn’t release the individuals’ names.

“We want to state clearly: it is never acceptable to paint one’s face black.

This action is deeply offensive, and it does not reflect the values of our schools or our community,” the superintendent said. “We sincerely apologize for the hurt this incident has caused to our students, families, and community.”

Patterson said that to his knowledge, school staff confronted the group after they entered the gymnasium but they were allowed to stay.

The NAACP and parents said the group should have been banned from the building with blatant racial intentions.

Patterson said to prevent future incidents, the district will work with the NAACP and other groups to provide training and support for staff to respond appropriately to such acts.

A man who knew the people in the photo read a statement on their behalf at the board meeting, claiming that they had no ill intentions and were at the game to support a Whitewater volleyball player whose name was spelled on their bodies.

“There was no racial intent behind the actions. As soon as those involved came out, administration asked them to remove it from their faces, and they did so willingly. They apologize to anyone that was offended,” he said.

But Jackson said the damage has already been done.

“Our hearts are heavy with the pain caused by the recent racial incident at last week’s volleyball game,” he said on social media. “The presence of “blackface” was an act of racism that has caused deep hurt in our community. We cannot let this be swept under the rug.”

Jackson is calling for immediate disciplinary action for those involved and school staff for admitting them inside the gym.

“We are calling on our leaders to step up now,” he said. “Our school board must create a clear path forward with new, enforceable policies.”

Fayetteville School Board member Dr. Regina Daigre said the photo was a painful reminder of dehumanizing Blacks during slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.

“Our schools should be safe places where every student feels respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential,” she said at the school board meeting. “When incidents like this happen, they remind us why cultural awareness, accountability, and leadership rooted in integrity are not optional, they are essential. [This] is not a time to point fingers; it’s a time to educate, to rise above ignorance, and to cultivate a culture of respect.”