‘Cowardice': Officials react to crude, racist graffiti at Roxborough High School

A clean up was underway on Sunday at Roxborough High School, in Philadelphia’s Roxborough community, after someone vandalized the property with racist and antisemitic remarks and symbolism overnight, officials said.

On Sunday, elected officials reacted after someone spray painted crude swastikas and poorly spelled racial epithets — “I heat n******” read one — on the high school, located along the 6400 block of Ridge Avenue.

Already, by Sunday afternoon, organizers had put together a clean up plan to get the graffiti removed before school re-opened to classes on Monday.

Kristin Williams Smalley, the principal of Roxborough High School, put out a statement condemning the vandalism and saying the Philadelphia Police Department is investigating the incident alongside the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of School Safety.

“As a school and District, we are fully committed to creating welcoming and inclusive environments for every student and staff member,” Smalley’s statement read in part. “Acts of discrimination, hate speech, and harassment are unacceptable whether by, or against, students and staff. The District takes all complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously, including allegations of Antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racist speech will take appropriate action to investigate allegations and prioritize the well-being of all students and staff.”

Smalley also said the “school community has joined to write messages of love, inclusion and belonging on the sidewalks at the entrance and we will be present to welcome our students back in the morning.”

In another statement on the incident, Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. (D-4th dist.) said that this kind of racial incident had no place in this city, especially at a learning institution.

“Hate has no home in Roxborough or anywhere for that matter. As a PA Human Relations Commissioner, I am tasked with enforcing state laws against various kinds of discrimination so it is especially hurtful when hateful vandalism like what occurred overnight at Roxborough High School occurs in the 4th district especially at a place of learning,” the councilman said in a statement. “As we approach MLK’s birthday, let’s remember what he said ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'”

Pa. State Rep. Tarik Khan (D-194th dist.) echoed Jones’ sentiment in a statement, calling the graffiti an act of “cowardice” that does not define the community.

“Late last night, someone painted racist graffiti, including swastikas, at Roxborough High School. Let me be clear: targeting students in the middle of the night is cowardice, and it does not define us. Our community is bigger than a racist, and one who cannot even spell at that,” said Khan in a statement. “Our students are bigger. And the neighbors, parents, and educators who show up for Roxborough High help make our community even more special. Every student deserves to feel safe and respected when they walk into school, not have to deal with hate meant to scare and intimidate them.”

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.