Two Marines under investigation for blackface video and racial slurs ‘Hello Monkey’

Two Marines are embroiled in a controversy after they appeared in blackface masks and for making making racist comments.

—School principal gave parents the choice to opt students out of watching Black History Month program—

In a now viral video, you can hear one man say “Blackface.” Then another says “Good morning sir,” salutes, puts on his cap while the first man says, “hello monkey.”

 

The soldiers are reportedly stationed in San Diego and one has been named as Zach Highfield, KPBS reports.

The Third Marine Air Wing, based at Miramar Air Station, is reportedly investigating the two Marines after the video went viral last week, the outlet reports.

The video originally appeared on Snapchat and then on Twitter last week. People have called for the Marines to be disciplined for posting the “disgusting and racist” video.

This is Zach Highfield, he’s a Marine who is proudly displaying his bigotry by wearing blackface in his military gear. The man behind him who says “hello monkey” hasn’t been identified yet. Care to comment on this racist behavior @USMC? pic.twitter.com/mKPLetFrYs

— Simar (@sahluwal) February 23, 2019

“We are aware of the post. An investigation has been initiated to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the content,” said Maj. Josef Patterson, spokesman for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in a written statement issued Monday.

—Michelle Obama on running for president and why she cried for 30 minutes when she left White House—

“Our leaders are committed to maintaining an environment of professionalism, dignity, and respect. 3rd MAW takes all allegations of discriminatory behavior very seriously as they stand in stark contrast of our core values of honor, courage, and commitment and do not reflect the discipline and professionalism of the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW.”

Highfield spoke to the outlet and offered a back-handed apology.

“It looks a lot worse than it is.”

“It was a bad mistake,” he said. “We had no intention to offend.”

The post Two Marines under investigation for blackface video and racial slurs ‘Hello Monkey’ appeared first on theGrio.

from theGrio https://ift.tt/2HbhWEX