TYLER, Texas — Tyler ISD is investigating a racist Instagram post in the wake of a student-athlete at Robert E. Lee refusing to wear the school's name on her jersey.
Trude Lamb announced last week should would not wear the school's name as a form of protest, urging Tyler ISD to change the school's name. Lamb's protest garnered national attention, continuing the national debate over the legacy of Confederate leaders.
A leaked Instagram group chat in response to Lamb appears to show one of the members of the chat using racist language:
Warning: The quote below contains offensive language.
“Aye (student) we’re not taking any s*** from those n****rs i’m keeping a f****ing knife next year. They’re gonna be on that bull s***."
"They're not just racist comments they're threats," Lamb's mother Laura Owens said. "You know bringing a weapon to school that is a direct threat."
Owens said schools in the district should have diversity training.
"This shines the light on the fact that racism is a problem in our schools," Owens said.
Tyler ISD released the following statement:
"Tyler ISD is aware of inappropriate comments made by some current students that was shared on social media. Tyler ISD administrators are immediately addressing the situation.
"The District wants to assure the community that such comments do not align with the ideals of Tyler ISD and that appropriate measures will be taken as allowed by District policy through the code of conduct.
"Due to student privacy laws, the District cannot release any more information regarding the students' identities or disciplinary matters."
