Fayette County Schools in Georgia is facing backlash after a group of visitors entered Whitewater High School’s gym during a volleyball game wearing blackface.
The incident, captured in a viral photo, showed two men and two women with their bodies painted black, dressed in wigs, and spelling out the name “RYLEE” across their chests.
Superintendent Jonathan Patterson called the incident “deeply offensive” in a letter on Monday and apologized for allowing the group to enter the school. While administrators confronted the visitors once inside, Patterson admitted they “should not have been allowed in the gym in the first place.”
A “blackout” theme at a Whitewater High volleyball game turned controversial after visitors wore black paint and wigs.
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) September 23, 2025
State Rep. Derrick Jackson held a press conference at the Fayette County Board of Education to address the incident and community concerns. pic.twitter.com/KL407fhjFx
The photo sparked immediate condemnation from parents, state leaders, and civil rights organizations. At a press conference, State Rep. Derrick Jackson said the school system’s response had been unacceptable.
“The presence of blackface was an act of profound insensitivity and the Fayette County school system’s failure to address it was unacceptable,” Jackson said. “This is a time for the superintendent to lead. We are here to demand immediate and decisive action.”
Kevin Pratt, president of the Fayette County NAACP, echoed that sentiment, calling the act a direct affront to the community.
“We fully condemn any acts of hate, racism, or intimidation. Our students deserve to feel respected and protected,” Pratt said.
Quentin Pullen, the organization’s vice president, described the episode as a “teachable moment,” emphasizing blackface’s long history as a tool of ridicule and dehumanization.
“Blackout just simply means wearing black, not on your face,” Pullen explained. “This is why diversity education is so critical in our schools and communities.”
Former NAACP president Ken Bryant reminded the community that similar racial incidents had occurred before, including one where students dressed as monkeys. “One of the biggest things I’m hoping to see out of this is sensitivity training so they can understand that this is wrong,” Bryant said.
Rep. Jackson also questioned how such actions could still occur in 2025.
“Why would someone in 2025 do this? In a school where our families go to watch kids play, they shouldn’t be faced with this,” he said. “We will not stop until every child in our community feels safe, valued, and respected.”
In response to the backlash, Patterson pledged to work with the NAACP to provide cultural awareness training for school employees and event gate workers. He also committed to reviewing the student code of conduct to consider new guidelines addressing racially offensive behavior.
Whitewater High School principal Krystin Hall released a letter to families, clarifying that none of the individuals were current Whitewater students. “Our events are meant to be safe, positive, and welcoming experiences for all. We remain committed to upholding respect, inclusivity, and sportsmanship,” Hall wrote.
The Fayette County NAACP will meet with the school board this week to recommend changes to district policy, particularly around how racial incidents are handled. Community leaders say the incident should serve as a turning point for long-term solutions.
