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A white secretary at a Louisiana high school was forced to abruptly resign from her job after making racist comments about Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day in a text conversation with a colleague.
In a Facebook post Monday, Walter Geno McLaughlin, a self-described artist, activist and organizer, shared a video revealing an image of former Ouachita Parish High School secretary Nelwyn Fontana, along with a screenshot of screen of their supposed texts.
Messages sent to a person referred to as ‘Coach’ refer to MLK Day, which celebrates the civil rights activist who protested racial discrimination, as ‘n***** day’ and is also refer to Luther King Jr. as ‘Mark. ‘
Fontana has been criticized online by parents of children at the school and members of the community. After her departure late last week, the school, which confirmed to KTVE that the messages were real, said they “do not tolerate any racism.”
A white secretary at a Louisiana high school was forced to abruptly resign from her job after making racist comments about Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day in a text conversation with a colleague.
Former Ouachita Parish High School secretary Nelwyn Fontana has come under fire online from parents of children at the school and members of the community. After her departure late last week, the school confirmed the messages were real, saying they “do not tolerate any racism.”
“Nelwyn Fontana is an office secretary at Ouachita Jr High in Monroe, LA and she took the time this #MLKDay to let us know how she really feels about honoring Dr. King,” McLaughlin wrote in the post shared on Facebook.
“What she didn’t realize is that she accidentally sent her hate-filled message to the wrong person.”
McLaughlin continued: ‘These are the kind of people we trust to educate our children. … From what I understand, the school district allowed her to resign, but there are many who feel they should have fired her from her.’
In the screenshot of the message, Fontana informed the coach about Martin Luther King Jr.’s upcoming vacation.
“N***** day hahaha brand Luther King,” he wrote, according to the screenshot.
‘Hey? What what? Where does that come from?’ the other person replied.
‘Remember your game[ers] Sunday [we’re] free on monday. For Mark Luther King Day on Monday,” Fontana continued, apparently mistaking King Jr.’s first name.
In a letter sent Monday to parents, Principal Darren Wheeler confirmed the secretary’s departure.
In a Facebook post Monday, Walter Geno McLaughlin, a self-described artist, activist and organizer, shared a video revealing an image of former Ouachita Parish High School Secretary Nelwyn Fontana along with a screenshot of their alleged texts.
“Unfortunately, on Friday night, a text message containing a racial slur from an employee was brought to our attention,” the director wrote.
‘That employee is no longer an employee of the Ouachita Parish School System. We do not condone any racism in our schools and community.’
Another Facebook user said: ‘When you try to be hateful and send the text to the wrong person. Ouachita High School, Monroe, LA. #noplaceforracist’
A woman from Monroe, Louisiana also posted the exchange on Facebook, saying: ‘God is exposing some people. This is [Nelwyn] Fontana @ Ouachita Jr. High.’
His Facebook post received nearly 700 comments, more than 500 reactions, and more than a thousand shares.
Community members were also quick to comment on broader racial issues at the school, with many believing the secretary should have been immediately fired rather than allowed to resign.
“Someone from Ouachita…and grew up on that system…we’re not surprised…lol…we grew up on that shit,” someone commented below the post.
‘How you get fired on your day off though,’ wrote another.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hugs his wife Coretta after learning she received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.
A parent of a black student at Ouachita Junior High who wished to remain anonymous told The Daily Beast that his son has dealt with discrimination from teachers.
“It’s been one thing after another with this school,” the father said.
Fontana has removed his social media presence since leaving school.
DailyMail.com has contacted director Darren Wheeler for comment.