AHS student instagram account posts white supremacist and anti-immigrant content, angering classmates
The Cougar Editorial Board
An anonymous Instagram account with the username “ahs_white_culture” sent follow requests to Albany High School students on Oct. 7. The account’s posts spreading racist and demeaning content prompted a wave of backlash from classmates who called it “offensive” and “disgusting.”
When students saw its reposts and profile picture, they began posting criticism on their own social media. A student says they posted a response to the account because, “I’ve never been shy to say what was right, and I know there were other people affected by it who didn’t feel enough courage to do so.” They add, “[racism] is something that’s becoming way too normalized at AHS.”
Many students reached out to the school and encouraged others to do the same. In an emailed communication in the afternoon of Oct. 8, Principal Darren McNally stated, “School administrators began investigating as soon as we were made aware of the account. We reviewed the evidence students provided, conducted multiple interviews, and identified the student responsible.”
The account’s content promoted white supremacy, deportation, and belittled immigrants and people of color. One student says, “I was sad seeing it because it seemed very hateful, and they were saying really horrible things.” Another student says, “Seeing an account, especially at this school, doing something like that was very disheartening.”
Although the account was deleted early in the morning of October 8, students were deeply affected by what they saw. One student says, “They had racial stereotyping in their reposts, which they tried to delete, but people have already seen them, so they can’t exactly go back on that.”
Another student praised those who called out the inappropriate behavior from the account and for holding the account accountable. They say, “I really did appreciate how every student was quick to come together and report it, and become unified over [denouncing] the account.” The account responded to students’ feedback by posting on its story saying that it did not support white supremacy or racism, which many students saw as contradictory and “ignorant.”
The account was not endorsed by AHS, but because it used the school’s name, the account made some students rethink their school community. One student says, “It made me feel unsafe, just to be out at school with someone who believes those sorts of things.” Another student says, “I feel like people of color in Albany should be able to feel safe at our school. And even though in the bio the person said that they’re not tied to Albany High School, this is still happening at my school.”
In the email on Oct. 8, McNally states that “Albany High School belongs to all students who walk through our doors. Hate and harassment have no place in our community, either online or on campus.”
Students highlight that Albany has a history with racism, calling back to the 2017 Instagram Account. Nine years ago, a similar account targeted Black students and staff with racist content, ending with a federal court case. Students suggested that further action should be taken to spread awareness and prevent events like this from happening again. Some suggest an assembly and efforts to create a safe school environment, though people are uncertain of what the school will do. A student says, “I feel like they pick and choose whether to take things seriously regarding racism.” Another student says, “We should reiterate that Albany is trying to make sure things like this — and like the 2017 incident — don’t happen again.”
Editor’s Note: The reporters on this story decided to keep all students anonymous to protect their safety and privacy due to the sensitive nature of the topics discussed.
