Racist graffiti targets Black student at Greenbrier West High
Mar. 19—Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bryant said Tuesday that the Greenbrier West High School students responsible for calling a Black student the n-word on a school wall will "suffer consequences to the full extent of the law."
"We're taking this very seriously," Bryant said. "But the main thing is, we want to make sure that all students — not only the students that this was directly pointed at, so to speak, but all students — feel safe coming to that school."
Bryant said the racially motivated graffiti was discovered by a custodian at Greenbrier West High School in one of the school's career and technical classrooms at 7:59 p.m. on Saturday. It was removed by 9 p.m. that night after the principal was notified, Bryant said.
Pictures of the graffiti and its racist and demeaning comments, which target a single student who is referred to as "DaeDae," have been widely circulated on social media.
The graffiti is contained in a small section of blue and white wall above a light switch.
In a corner section of the wall, written in black marker, are the words "DaeDae wall," followed by the drawing of a winky face, typically used to express humor or sarcasm.
Under this are several comments which read, "We hate n*****s like her (DeeDee)," "DeeDae = silver back monkey," and "DaeDae has an STD."
The n-word is written at least five times on the wall, often with an arrow pointed toward wherever the name DaeDae appears.
The wall contains various handwritings, with some of the writings even including what appears to be signatures or initials.
Attached to some of the signatures are references to "C/O 24" and "C/O 25," meaning the graduating class of 2024 or 2025. This would make the students writing these racially charged comments either juniors or seniors.
The Black student whom the graffiti targets has identified herself to the media as 14-year-old Daedriela Carey, who goes by the nickname "DaeDae."
Bryant said he's been working since Sunday with county and school staff as well as law enforcement to track down the students responsible for the graffiti who will "suffer consequences to the full extent of school law, and if they are of age, to the fullest extent of the law for adults."
"As superintendent of schools this is egregious, it's unacceptable, and I will not allow it under my direction," Bryant said.
According to the information they've gathered, Bryant said the vandalism was done on Friday. He said they spoke with a substitute who was present in the room on Thursday, who stated that they did not see the graffiti on the wall on Thursday.
Once the students are identified, Bryant said they will have a hearing before the school board, which will determine the consequences they receive.
As part of the investigation into the racist comment, Bryant said they're also investigating claims that students have previously complained to school staff about similar racist comments but were informed that such words were protected under the U.S. Constitution as freedom of speech.
"I have no confirmation of that, but you can feel assured that's part of my investigation as well," he said. "Anything that's brought to my attention, I think of it as a valid concern. And then once we complete the investigation, then we can determine what is warranted and what is valid, but at this point, anything that comes to my attention, as far as I'm concerned, is a valid concern."
The Register-Herald contacted Carey and her parents for comment on Tuesday but did not hear back.
