Thursday, August 4, 2011

Black Student Sues Minnesota High School for Celebrating 'Wigger Day'

RED WING, Minn – A black student is suing her former Minnesota high school for celebrating "Wednesday Wigger Day," where white students pretended to be black during homecoming week, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday.

Quera Pruitt, who graduated from Red Wing High School last year, filed the lawsuit last week, saying the "wigger" celebration caused her to be so depressed that she almost dropped out of school.

The slang word "wigger" is commonly used to refer to a white person who copies the mannerisms, language and fashions commonly associated with American black culture.

"It's offensive to black folks and, frankly, it's offensive to anyone," said Joshua Williams, Pruitt's lawyer.

Pruitt claims Wigger Day, also known as "Wangsta Day," was held between 2007 and 2009 and is claiming $75,000 in damages.

The school district, however, rejects the accusations outright.

"The district denies the allegations that it has created a racially hostile environment and looks forward to meeting these allegations in court," district superintendent Karsten Anderson said in a written statement.

Nearly 900 high school students are enrolled in the school district, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of St. Paul. Three percent are black.

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