US

Minn. High School Sued Over Racially-Charged ‘Wigger’ Homecoming Theme

Red Wing High School Student Quera Pruitt Sues Over Wigger Discrimination

Quera Pruitt

A former student is taking Red Wing High School to court. Quera Pruitt, a 19-year-old who graduated from the Minnesota school last year, is suing for allowing what she sees as an offensive, racially-charged homecoming event to go on without punishing the offending students.

The event, called “Wigger Day,” was celebrated by students who commemorated it by coming to school in oversized jerseys, baggy and sagging pants, side-cocked baseball caps and, perhaps most indicative of the racial nature of the celebration, doo rags.

To opponents like Pruitt, the premise (not to mention the name) of the event was a play off of the infamous “n-word,” which is highly offensive to African Americans. Watch her mother, Maxine, appear on MSNBC to discuss the situation:

Pruitt is charging that Red Wing High School officials, including the principal, were well aware of the offensive nature of the event and that they simply ignored it. She is seeking $75,000 in damages, citing emotional distress, depression, stress, crying, humiliation and a plethora of other emotions.

As a result of the event, she claims she dropped out of cheerleading and student council; she even considered leaving the school. Time’s NewsFeed provides more background about how the situation has devolved:

Homecoming typically involves a flurry of themed events that lead up to the big game. In 2009, the student body designated Sept. 30 as “Tropical Day,” but according to the federal class action suit, about 70 students declared it “Wednesday Wigger Day” instead. Pruitt says the high school, where 3% of the 900 students are black, celebrated “Wigger Day,” also known as “Wangsta Day,” between 2007 and 2009.

Red Wing High School Student Quera Pruitt Sues Over Wigger Discrimination

An image of Red Wing students dressed in baggy clothing

The offensive nature of the event was captured when it first happened back in 2009. In an interview published on KARE11.com, Pruitt explained her take on the event as follows: ”They hurt my feelings. No one asked me how I felt about it.”

Another student, Alissia Humphreys, explained, “I have a right to be comfortable at school, and I don’t appreciate that being taken away from me and making me feel uncomfortable.” But, back in 2009, at least according to KARE11.com, school officials seemed like they were taking control of the situation:

Red Wing Superintendent Stan Slessor says the district is disappointed with the students actions and words — whether or not they were intended to be offensive. Officials did require the students to change their clothes immediately. No more punishment has followed, but the district does plan to use the incident to teach tolerance.

Red Wing High School Student Quera Pruitt Sues Over Wigger Discrimination

Courtesy of CityPages.com

Interestingly, CityPages.com reports a fact that didn’t make its way into some other outlets: The principal did tell students to change their offensive clothing. Regardless of whether this is true with certainty, the news site corroborated the fact that no one was punished for participating in “Wigger Wednesday.”

There’s another element here, though, that further complicates the situation. Following the incident, it appears as though a Facebook group called “Wigger Wednesday” (which has now been removed) was used to potentially cyber-bully Pruitt. Apparently, it read, “let’s keep wigger wednesday goin til that [derogatory term] quits.” One wonders: Was this “quitting” in reference to Pruitt’s cheerleading? If so, the students’ efforts were successful.

You can read the entire text of the legal complaint here.

(h/t Time’s NewsFeed)

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Comments (122)

  • 13th Imam
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:27pm

    Should have called it a Chigger Party

    You know those pesky little gnat like bugs that eat you alive while doing nothing good for society. Like lawyers and easily offended thin skinned twits.

    Report this comment

    13th Imam  
    • scootermagic
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:23pm

      The only people I have heard use the “n” word regularly and with bravado are….wait for it….black people!!

      Report this comment

      scootermagic  
    • txbigfoot
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:10pm

      OMG hurt feelings are NOT a cause of action. Our society has become a nanny state of gimme I deserve it. I say buckle up baby and get your bible guns and little friends ready. This is going to get ugly.

      Report this comment

      txbigfoot  
    • getalong
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:17pm

      Would it have been okay to call it ******* day? Looks like someone is just trying to make some money.

      Report this comment

      getalong  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:34pm

      Sadly not JUST black kids dress like that now.. it’s become a fad.. even IF your kid leaves the house looking normal what’s to say that they will arrive at where ever they are going still looking the same..? I am SICK of all the EMOTIONAL STRESS BS.. they should have called it a RAP day.. OR they could have worn white sheets and said they were the DEMOCRATS of yesteryear..

      Report this comment

      independentvoteril  
    • SpeckChaser
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:44pm

      ***********ATTENTION**********JZS

      Would love to hear how the logic used to shape your political views stem from your everyday life, with examples…if you care to explain. I’m sure you agree that anyone espousing something upon others that they would not personally subject themselves to is despicable. Here are a few examples.

      I can find no way that spending more money than I make annually will produce anything but negative results in my personal life. Therefore, I can’t agree with that theory as the foundation for government spending.

      There is nothing in my personal life that is alive and growing that I could classify as not alive. I believe that if you cause something to cease to be alive, you have killed it. Therefore I can’t support abortion.

      If given the choice of being armed or un-armed during a home invasion, I would choose to be armed. I could never support gun control that does not allow LAW ABIDING CITIZENS to have the same choice. I do not understand how someone can read the second amendment and think it is an argument AGAINST gun ownership.

      I assume if you don’t respond it’s because you did not read this, not because you advocate political ideas that you would not be comfortable being personally subjected to.

      Report this comment

      SpeckChaser  
    • naed5048
      Posted on August 6, 2011 at 2:41am

      That gives me a good idea……I can now sue for the use of the word *******………..I’m rich I’m rich …..praise be I’m rich

      Report this comment

      naed5048  
    • ru12
      Posted on August 6, 2011 at 4:42am

      Anyone else remember Sadie Hawkins Dances? Thank God the “hillbillies” didn’t get hurt feelings and sue!

      Report this comment

      ru12  
  • Cold War Vet
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:27pm

    Is it not “offensive” when we have racial flash mobs attacking stores, looting and pillaging, and rampaging, beating people up at the Wisconsin State Fair?

    Our lawyers have gotten out of control. Every time some yahoo hears or sees something they don’t like they go running off to see a lawyer because they think they just won the jackpot. If I had a nickel for every time someone offended me, I could afford to buy off George Soros. What ever happened to personal responsibility? Oh wait, I forgot. Liberals made it politically incorrect. But theft, looting, rape, thuggery racism etc. is just fine with them!

    http://www.neuezeitgeist.wordpress.com

    Report this comment

    Cold War Vet  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:15pm

      Upon those whom have released this will it come. Vengence is mine says the LORD.

      Report this comment

      4truth2all  
  • Tyras
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:26pm

    One can’t complain about stereotypes when they live up to that stereotype. That’s not an excuse for the racist terms used, but if a black person complains that a white person is mocking them by dressing the exact same way they do on a given day… isn’t that racist as well? A white kid can’t wear their pants around their knees and baggy shirts with gaudy jewlery? That’s a blacks only thing? This is manufactured anger stoked by the race pimps that have made an industry of keeping Americans divided.

    Report this comment

    Tyras  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:38pm

      Tyras,

      The difference here is there’s no proof the girl behaved poorly (until she wanted to sue for $75K over something that didn’t actually damage her).

      From her picture, she doesn’t dress out of the norm. The problem was the inappropriate behavior of the white kids at the school, and the failure of the Superintendant and Principal to hold them accountable.

      IF there were black children at the school dressing inappropriately, the Superintendant and the Principal should have dealt with them, too.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • Hephzibah
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:21pm

    “perhaps most indicative of the racial nature of the celebration, doo rags.”

    What the heck is a “doo rag”?

    Report this comment

    Hephzibah  
    • Locked
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:25pm

      First Google result:
      A do-rag, also spelled doo-rag, du-rag, durag is a piece of cloth used to cover the head. According to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster the term derives from ‘do as in hairdo.

      Report this comment

      Locked  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:58pm

      Doos I be lookin gug. I’s be thinkin yo.

      Report this comment

      chips1  
  • TxSon
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:11pm

    Sorry. You don’t have a right to not be offended. However, you do have a right to say you are offened. Bravo! You have exercised your 1st amendment right. Now go get a life.

    Report this comment

    TxSon  
  • dangarh01
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:10pm

    She needs to get a life. She’s 19, and already graduated. Grow up, you’re not in high school anymore. Why would she care what her old school is doing? Im glad they made this event. Back when I was in high school all the white kids thought it was cool to dress and act like this. At least this school is showing how ridiculous it is to act and dress this way.

    Report this comment

    dangarh01  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:16pm

      Wow. You’re glad they did it? So, someone else’s bad behavior demands an answer in kind, does it?

      That’s very mature. Please tell me you don’t identify with the Tea Party.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
    • AR_OR_AK
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:30pm

      When I was in school, a wigger was a white kid who thought they were black. I’m sorry, but 99% of white kids who dress all thugged out just look absolutely ridiculous…. It’s the gang mentality and pyramid scheme of the gangs that keeps blacks down, not whitey. Git a grip people!!!

      Report this comment

      AR_OR_AK  
  • margaret1977
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:09pm

    POOR LITTLE N…..O always looking how to make money of white people !!! nothing new!

    Report this comment

    margaret1977  
  • lel2007
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:03pm

    Do I have a right NOT to be offended? Or must I belong to a protected class?
    Stupid homecoming theme for Red Wing MN. The dress theme they chose is standard garb in most Minneapolis high schools.

    Report this comment

    lel2007  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:10pm

      I don’t see anything about this story that justifies your statements.

      The girl shouldn’t get $75K. That’s obvious.

      The students who intentionally acted poorly should have received more serious punishment.

      The Superintendant and Principal should be fired for failing to discipline the students.

      The parents of the jerk students are morons.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:06pm

      The justification for the statement is called freedom of speech which you object to in all of your posts. Total control of a persons thoughts and speech sounds like your marxist muslim buddy, BO.

      Report this comment

      chips1  
    • insaneserenity
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:03pm

      dude what are you smoking? I want some of that. This story is a joke. Some dumb moron wants free money. Schools should tell kids what they can and cannot wear? Um, no. There’s a little thing called the first amendment.

      It is quite histerical to me, and frankly they should do it every year.

      The word “wigger” is suppose to be an insult to white people, not black people. Stuck Mojo even did a song about it.

      No one has a right to feel comfortable anywhere. No one has a right to anything not in the Bill of Rights, at this point pretty much 99% of what dumb leftists claim is in there isn’t.

      Tell them to get over themselves and grow up, and leave it at that. No one should be fired, no one should be punished for wearing clothes. That is about as immature a reaction as one can have.

      Report this comment

      insaneserenity  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:00pm

    Animals = one word says it all .

    Report this comment

    forthepeople  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:05pm

      Yep, the students to came up with the idea and dressed like jerks are complete animals. Where in the world were their parents?

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • Locked
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:58pm

    The students behaved inappropriately, but the school did what they could to stop them (by making them change their clothing). The school itself did not endorse or condone the event. Sorry miss; not much else they can do.

    The students involved probably should have received some kind of punishment, but my support of the girl kinda fled when I read she’s suing the school for $75k.

    Report this comment

    Locked  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:57pm

    Folks who doesn’t see anything wrong with this have some serious issues.

    Report this comment

    V-MAN MACE  
  • joesample
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:55pm

    So sorry the little ***** was offended.

    Report this comment

    joesample  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:03pm

      Joe, go be a douche at HuffPo, can’t you? Your racism is disgusting.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • Deckle
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:52pm

    This is nonsense. Girl get a life!

    Report this comment

    Deckle  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:05pm

      Hey, she has a life. The behavior of the students who participated was wrong. The principle minimally should have pulled all the parents in.

      Maybe $75K in damages is ridiculous, but no school should have allowed something like this to take place. They should have kicked the particpants out of school for a week or two.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:05pm

      It’s the taker mentality. Take from everyone .. government, anyone who offends you….she needs to get a life, she’s out of highschool now. Maybe she’s mad they didn’t prepare her properly for real life?

      Report this comment

      loriann12  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:45pm

    She should go to the state fair and beat whitey.

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:55pm

      .
      ”They hurt my feelings. No one asked me how I felt about it.”
      It’s called “life” sweetheart. Get used to it.

      By the way, I’m offended by pants on the ground, so would you tell
      your homies to start dressing properly so I feel better.

      Report this comment

      Secret Squirrel  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Clearly, the girl dresses appropriately. It’s SO wrong of you to try to hold her accountable for other people’s behavior.

      I feel like I’m explaining basic civility to a bunch of Liberals. What happened to my beloved Blaze?

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • chazde3
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:43pm

    So wait, does that mean I can sue all the black people in my neighborhood for wearing baggy clothing?? They didn’t ask how I felt before walking around with their pants around their ankles.

    Sounds to me like she just wants to cash in on a non-issue.

    Report this comment

    chazde3  
  • moreteaplease
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:41pm

    She is seeking $75,000 in damages, citing emotional distress, depression, stress, crying, humiliation and a plethora of other emotions.

    Righhht. Smells like mom is cooking this one up.

    Report this comment

    moreteaplease  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:08pm

      Agreed. She shouldn’t get any money out of this.

      Still, maybe the superintendent and principle should have been fired.

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • yanki161
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:39pm

    “She even considered leaving the school.” But she didn’t. She stayed. She graduated. Now she thinks she can cash in. Bang the gavel. Case closed.

    Report this comment

    yanki161  
  • Pyx
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:32pm

    The video keeps showing the same three BLURRED pictures. There doesn’t seem to be any racial theme to the photos.

    Report this comment

    Pyx  
  • CybrBart
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:32pm

    “the infamous “n-word,” which is highly offensive to African Americans.” How can this statement possibly be true. I hear this word all the time. And 99% of the time it’s being spoken by a black person. Usually in reference to another black person.

    Report this comment

    CybrBart  
    • andredegas
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:55pm

      While Blacks use the “n” word often it IS offensive to African Americans (who,as you know, are differant from Blacks)

      Report this comment

      andredegas  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:14pm

      So, all blacks use the word? Is that it?

      Generalize much?

      I wonder what ethnic idiocy we could say about you. I despise the sub-culture to which some blacks subscribe. It’s wrong. It’s anti-American. Most importantly, it’s NOT ALL BLACK people.

      Just like some whites are racist douchebags (scroll through some of these comments to find examples). I’d be enraged if someone posted that I was a racist douche, just because some of you are.

      Get it?

      Report this comment

      Jaycen  
  • U.S. Navy Veteran
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:27pm

    Oh my God…[sniffle]…I think I’m going to cry…[uncontrollable sobbing]…

    Report this comment

    U.S. Navy Veteran  
  • Marcia
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:23pm

    You know what? I don’t blame her. I had to look up “wigger” in Wikipedia. It’s a derogatory and offensive term and the school is STUPID for allowing it in the first place.

    Report this comment

    Marcia  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:29pm

      The school may be stupid, but some of our youth is just as stupid. I have a (white) nephew down south that acted like a “gang member” and that’s what his “friends” called him, who were black. Don’t know why these people are upset, its the way most kids are going these days, black or white.

      Report this comment

      godlovinmom  
    • Locked
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:01pm

      It sounds like the school didn’t allow it: some students organized it on their own, and when they came to school they were forced to change their clothing. I think the offending students should have received a punishment (say, a day of suspension), but it’s not the school’s responsibility to do anything more. Some kids will be terrible to other kids, and there’s only so much the school can (and should) do.

      Report this comment

      Locked  
    • Caerus
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 11:07pm

      Maybe it is just where I live, but when I graduated in 2005, ‘wigger’ was a term of pride by those white folks who wished they were black and acted/dressed as such. I knew a few people in high school, white boys who would dress up like their black friends because they all idolized the rapper culture.

      Like I said, this might not be true everywhere, but around here it was not something derogatory. At least, not derogatory towards blacks, just somewhat derogatory towards whites.

      Report this comment

      Caerus  
  • fliptailhunter
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:19pm

    She is only doing it for collage money

    Report this comment

    fliptailhunter  
    • chazde3
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:56pm

      $75,000 would be a large collage. It would however put one through college depending on where you are going.

      Report this comment

      chazde3  
  • right-wing-waco
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Somebody has to always try to keep the race war going. Shame on those the can’t learn to get along.

    Report this comment

    right-wing-waco  
  • Servant Of YHVH
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Or maybe she just found another way for her to make easy money!

    Report this comment

    Servant Of YHVH  
  • Servant Of YHVH
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:16pm

    Now one question, who was to say that the kids don’t dress like this. The way I see kids dressing it sure would appear that way to me. So then, do we just have this black girl that is suing white kids because she thinks that they did her wrong because she didn’t like the way that they dressed? To me that would be a rascist act on her part. Not saying that it was that way but do we know for sure that it wasn’t?

    Report this comment

    Servant Of YHVH  
    • Locked
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:02pm

      “Now one question, who was to say that the kids don’t dress like this. ”

      Pro-tip: Read the article next time. It was obviously planned by some students in an effort to be offensive. The only question is if the school did enough to stop/punish them.

      Report this comment

      Locked  

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