Two teenagers who were wrongfully accused of wearing blackface and subsequently expelled from their elite California Catholic school have been awarded over $1 million in damages after proving that they were wearing a green acne face mask. The boys, identified as A.H. and H.H., were 14 years old at the time of the incident in 2017 when they took a photo wearing the treatment in solidarity with a friend who was struggling with severe acne. The treatment, which was light green when applied, turned dark green once dry.
The situation escalated three years later in 2020 when the photo went viral during the Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd. The students were expelled from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View without being given due process, resulting in a lawsuit against the school. The Santa Clara County jury agreed that the school breached an oral contract and did not provide fair procedures to the students, leading to the decision to award them $500,000 each and reimburse their $70,000 tuition.
Attorney Krista Baughman, who represented the students, emphasized the significance of the case not only for her clients but for all private high schools in California. The ruling sets a precedent requiring schools to provide fair procedures to students before taking disciplinary actions against them. The lawsuit, which initially sought $20 million in damages, was based on claims of unfair treatment, defamation, and violation of free speech. The jury rejected some of these claims but still found in favor of the students.
The families of A.H. and H.H. expressed gratitude to the jury and the court system for helping their sons find justice and clear their names of false accusations. The ruling was seen as a victory for the students and a reminder that schools are not above the law when it comes to ensuring due process and fair treatment of students. Despite the school’s disagreement with the jury’s decision, they are exploring legal options, including the possibility of an appeal.
The case highlights the importance of proper procedures and clear communication in educational institutions when dealing with disciplinary matters involving students. The incident, which started innocently as a display of support for a friend dealing with acne, snowballed into a much larger controversy due to misconceptions and the viral nature of social media. Ultimately, the legal battle not only vindicated the students but also led to broader implications for how private schools in California handle disciplinary actions against their students in the future. It serves as a reminder of the accountability that schools have in ensuring fairness and justice for their student body.
