Principal apologizes for 'insensitive' language on 1776-themed prom tickets

A Cherry Hill, New Jersey, high school principal is apologizing for what many apparently considered to be offensive language on tickets for the school's upcoming prom.

What was on the tickets that was so bad?

The tickets read "Party like it's 1776," an apparent nod to the American Revolution. Cherry Hill High School East's senior prom is to be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, according to the Courier Post.

The verbiage apparently upset enough people that the high school's Principal Dennis Perry had to address the community with an apology.

Perry's letter, according to the Courier Post, apologized because "not all communities can celebrate what life was like in 1776."

"I am writing to apologize for the hurt feelings this reference caused for members of our school family," Perry wrote, specifically pointing to the black community in the school.

"I especially apologize to our African American students, who I have let down by not initially recognizing the inappropriateness of this wording," he added.

Perry's letter said that while the school had good intentions with the tickets' phrasing, "for some Americans, 1776 itself was not a good time."

According to the outlet, all students attending the senior prom will receive commemorative tickets that do not bear the offensive phrasing.

Perry also noted that Cherry Hill High School East will be sure to enact changes "to product well thought out, appropriate communications" going forward, and a "diverse group of people" will "view all information before it is distributed from the school."

What did the letter say?

The principal also shared a copy of his apology letter Friday on Twitter.

Please read this letter of apology to the East Community. pic.twitter.com/BnokMF0n9Q

— Dr. Dennis Perry (@drperryateast) May 18, 2018