A disturbing racial incident at Mount Pleasant High School has sparked outrage and renewed conversations about racism and school culture in the community.
The family of a Black football player is speaking out after the 16-year-old was reportedly targeted with racial slurs and spat on by another student.
In a Facebook post that has since gained significant attention, the boy’s aunt, JeNia Jones, shared details of the incident and the family’s frustration with how school officials have handled it.
“It’s 2025-do better,” she wrote, emphasizing that such behavior should have no place in today’s schools or communities.
According to Jones and the student’s mother, Heather B. Jones, the altercation occurred on school grounds and involved a white female student.
The victim reported being spat on while racial slurs were directed at him.
However, when the family approached the administration for answers, they were met with what they described as dismissive and inadequate responses.
Heather Jones later provided an update, explaining that she and her son had met with the principal, Mrs. Jacobs. Jones wrote,
“As expected, we received the typical response — she could not disclose the consequence given to the student,” . “However, my son stated that he saw the young lady walking in the hallway the very next day.”
JeNia Jones
Adding to the family’s frustration was the explanation given by the assistant principal, who relayed that the offending student claimed “she did not spit on him but had water in her mouth, and it came out and landed on him.”
Heather stated that she had requested School Resource Officer (SRO) Crabtree investigate the incident, but was later informed that it was not considered a chargeable offense. She continued,
“This matter is far from resolved,” . “It’s unfortunate that now that this incident has been put out publicly, my son is worried about retaliation. Things that a 16-year-old should never have to worry about.”
JeNia Jones
While Heather emphasized that she is not the type of parent who “causes scenes or acts aggressively,” she made it clear she will pursue justice: “I will use every available resource to ensure that justice is served for my child.”
The post grabbed hundreds of reactions and comments from community members, many of whom expressed heartbreak, anger, and disappointment that such behavior still exists at Mount Pleasant High.
Many commenters agreed that the issue reflects a deeper problem in the community. One user, Deane Flowers, wrote,
You are so right that this starts at home. I apologize for those who said ugly things to your nephew!!
Deane Flowers
Jeanne Rene added a stark warning:
People need to grow up and get over themselves. Stop hating people for zero reason. Teach your kids better because someday, they’ll mess with the wrong person and you may end up planning a funeral.
Jeanne Rene
Several others shared personal experiences with racism in the same district. Valerie Miller commented, “Dang, they still spitting on us? I was spit on in 1999 at Mount !!! Smh!!!” while Sherri Beckwith Lester revealed,
We had to move my grandson out of the MP district because of the racial slurs. It’s hard to believe that humans still have the stigma of the 1950s
Sherri Beckwith Lester
Some expressed disappointment that the town’s reputation continues to suffer from recurring racial incidents. Kristin Knw wrote,
We have heard so many horror stories about mp for it being racist. School and town. Sad.
Kristin Knw
Others, like Wendy McDonald, called on parents to take responsibility:
This breaks my heart reading this. No one, child or adult deserves to be treated this way. MP parents do better! Sit and have a talk with your children, racism is not okay.
Wendy McDonald
Catherine Shinn was among the most outspoken:
This is absolutely unacceptable, I’m so sorry!!! People here need to do better by their kids. Please press charges immediately! It’s long pass time that a message be sent that things like this should not happen ever again. It’s sad for me to acknowledge that this town is still filled with rasict people and even some still secretly members of the KKK. Again, I’m so sorry this happened and want you to know that your family is loved and appreciated. Mount Pleasant definitely needs to do better than this. No one deserves that type of treatment. Prayers for you and your family that this matter is taken seriously!
Catherine Shinn
One commenter noted that many in the community “say they are Christians yet follow none of the teachings of Jesus Christ,” suggesting that faith leaders take an active role in promoting empathy and accountability.
