The Senior Shirt Scandal That Put A Maryland High School In The National Spotlight

A high school district in Maryland has apologized and initiated an investigation following the distribution of senior class T-shirts that bore a design resembling an anti-Black racial epithet. Local news sources reported that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) notified parents and the Sherwood High School community that the T-shirt design created an inadvertent spelling of the N-word through a combination of letters and numbers. The shirts were given out to students on October 16, but the distribution was promptly suspended as officials sought to determine how such a design received approval. MCPS’s spokesperson, Liliana López, pointed out the absence of a standardized protocol for T-shirt approvals.Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, a letter stated, “There is no excuse for this.” The district requires all seniors to return the T-shirts and will replace them at no cost. Counseling and restorative listening circles will also be made available for students, staff, and families.