A school in South Carolina has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a teacher can be heard using the N-word during class.
The Berkeley County School District said they are aware of a video which was posted on to TikTok which shows a female teacher at Cane Bay High School using the racial slur off camera while discussing words and objects which are "rooted in racism."
The clip was posted to TikTok by user olivia2005nicole2 last week, where it has since been viewed more than 450,000 times.
"That is a teacher, I've had over three years that I visited every single morning and I love, loved, so much," she said.
"I'm tired. I'm so tired. I had to quit my job because a white woman called me that word. That word, it hurts people. I don't understand how an educator, a professional, can say that word in a room where you know Black people are present or matter of fact, even just students in general.
"This was stupid. You are an educator. She took a pause before she said that so she clearly meant it."
A number of students staged a protest this week at the school demanding that the teacher, identified as Sara McClellan, be fired over the incident.
Pastor Thomas Dixon, a former South Carolina congressional candidate, posted videos of the student protest on social media.
"My personal thoughts on this? I agree with the student's chant: 'We won't retire until she gets fired! As we say on the Low End: 'She should have never fixed her face to say it...PERIOD,'" Dixon wrote on Facebook.
Stand as One and South Carolina Black Activist Coalition are also set to hold a news conference at the school at 9 a.m. on Thursday to call for the "immediate removal of the teacher," reported The Charlotte Observer.
A Change.org petition calling for McClellan to be fired has also gained more than 1,000 signatures.
"District and school administration are aware of the video posted to TikTok which captured a portion of a classroom discussion about words and objects rooted in racism," said Katie Tanner, a spokeswoman for the Berkeley County School District, via WCSC.
"The teacher did make the statement that a racial slur, which the teacher identified out loud, is rooted in racism. This matter is under investigation and is being addressed in accordance with school and district policy."
Tanner said the school district "promotes a welcoming and supportive environment that celebrates and values diversity and respect for all students, employees, and stakeholders."
Tanner added because the matter pertains to personnel, the district cannot offer any further comment on the situation.
McClellan has been contacted for comment.
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Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
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