Peters Township school district investigating allegations of 'blackface' by band before football game

When the Peters Township marching band took the field Friday night for a pregame performance before a high school playoff football game against Woodland Hills, two drum majors marched at the front wearing a full-body black spandex suit. Some perceived the suits as the modern-day equivalent of blackface.

The incident is now being investigated by Peters Superintendent Jeannine French.

Woodland Hills Athletic Director Ron Coursey said as he arrived at his team’s sideline just after the start of the game, he was notified about the two costumes by coaches and cheerleaders. Coursey immediately sought out the Peters athletic director, who he said was equally upset. Together they went to speak to the band director, Milt Barney.

“He expressed profusely there was no malicious intent,” Coursey said. “At the very least, it’s racially insensitive and poorly thought out.”

Coursey said he explained to Barney how the costumes could be perceived and why they were hurtful. He also offered to explain to the students why blackface is offensive to Black people — to explain why it is perceived as dehumanizing and mocking.

“We’re in a very contentious place in this country,” Coursey said. “He conceded. ‘I see it. I can acknowledge it.’ ”

The band director told Coursey he didn’t think it would be offensive, according to Coursey.

“He was humble and apologetic,” Coursey said.

The two drum majors were made to remove the costumes and did not have them on for the halftime performance.

Woodland Hills Superintendent James Harris said he spoke to French on Sunday night.

“She was sincerely upset. She was sincerely apologetic,” Harris said. “And that’s good enough for me.”

Peters Township district spokeswoman Shelly Belcher responded Monday in a statement.

“Peters Township School District does not condone or permit discrimination,” she said. “The District is investigating the student costume choices from Friday night’s football game and reviewing the actions or inactions on behalf of District staff present at the game.”

According to Public School Review, the demographic of the student body population in the Woodland Hills School District is 72% non-white, while Peters has 8% students of color.

Harris said that the coaches and athletic director had already spoken to the Woodland Hills students prior to traveling to Peters Friday to remind them to ignore people yelling racial remarks at them when they get off the bus, walk on to the field or walk to get snacks at the concession stand.

“They are told to walk in pairs,” Harris said. “They got the talk before the game. It’s disappointing that we even have to do those things. We have to do better and not be dragged down by racist comments.”

Although they’ve always had to talk to their student body about those things, Harris said, “What is new is the emboldenedness of some folks because of the current political climate — to go above and beyond.

“Certain groups have gotten more empowered or more aggressive than in the past.”

Harris said he hoped to use it as a teachable moment for his students.

“I’m not trying to change the world,” he said. “I just want to make sure our students are in the safest environment I can.”

Amy Ashley-Matta, whose daughter, Avery Matta, is a Woodland Hills cheerleader, said she was upset by what happened.

Avery, who is white, said the first thing she thought of when she saw the Peters’ drum majors’ costumes was that it looked like an old minstrel show.

“Whether those students meant to do it or not, the optics are horrible,” Ashley-Matta said.

She said her daughter has been hearing the talk from coaches when they traveled with Woodland Hills since she played 10-and-under soccer.

The kids are told, “ ‘Don’t react. Don’t give them the reaction they’re looking for,’ ” she said.

What was upsetting for Avery, her mom said, was wondering how many years their cheerleading coach, who is Black, has had to hear those comments — but still has to be strong for her students.

“She’s not just hurting for her friends and fellow cheerleaders, but for the adults and coaches and teachers,” Ashley-Matta said. “It’s a lot.”

She teaches Avery to acknowledge what’s happening so they can fight it.

“We talk a lot about what it’s like to be an ally — the importance of listening to our friends who are hurting, and doing the work, writing letters and going to marches.”

Both Coursey and Harris hope that the Woodland Hills students learn from what happened.

As a former history teacher, Coursey said he used Friday night as a way to explain to his own students the history of blackface.

“I think that’s part of the growth and healing of our country.”