An investigation is underway after photos started circulating on social media showing someone on the Lake Norman High School campus wearing graduation robes and a white pointed hood, similar to what a member of the Ku Klux Klan would wear. In one of the pictures, the person is making a gesture similar to a Nazi salute.
Magnolia Gray, who has a relative at the school, said she received the photos Friday and was shocked. "I'm horrified," Gray said. "I'm floored. I'm shocked. It is the most horrifying thing in the world."
The Jewish advocacy group fighting Jew hatred - StopAntisemitism - shared its disgust on Twitter with its nearly 70,000 followers.
We are disgusted to see a student from Lake Norman High school in the Charlotte, NC area photographed in a graduation gown wearing a KKK hood and throwing up a Nazi salute.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 24, 2023
If this student is in fact a senior, should he have his diploma revoked? We'd love to hear your thoughts! pic.twitter.com/f3vrF68zgz
She said the person in the pictures, who her relative told her is a student, needs to learn from this incident. "I would like him to sit down and talk to other people, and maybe get a different idea of the world," Gray said.
A parent also forwarded WCNC Charlotte a voicemail from Lake Norman High School, which addressed the incident and shared that an investigation was underway.
The message is purportedly from the school's assistant principal and states, in part, "Lake Norman High School and the Iredell-Statesville Schools do not condone this unacceptable act of discrimination. If anyone has information regarding this photo, please reach out to the school administration. Racial harassment, discrimination, hate speech, or degradation of any kind will not be tolerated and does not represent our high school or our school district. Acts such as this are a disgrace to our community, and those involved will be disciplined to the fullest extent."