Nassau Schools investigate racist conduct allegations at Fernandina Beach volleyball match

FERNANDINA BEACH — Nassau County school officials are investigating allegations that Fernandina Beach High School students directed racial slurs, chants and gestures at Andrew Jackson High School volleyball players during a match Thursday night, including allegations that students displayed a Black baby doll from the stands.

“We take reports of racially offensive behavior extremely seriously,” the district said in a statement Friday. “Racism has no place in our schools or at our athletic events, and every student-athlete and guest deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The allegations surfaced after an Andrew Jackson parent described the incident on Facebook, saying several Fernandina Beach students held up a Black baby doll while directing “racial slurs, chants, and gestures” toward the Jacksonville team.

The parent said that when an Andrew Jackson player was injured, students held the doll upside down and made jokes.

Antoinette Beckton, an Andrew Jackson parent, reported the incident on Facebook as racial discrimination and intimidation.

“It was disrespect; it displayed racial discrimination, intimidation and it also displayed that this sort of behavior that they’re doing has been the normal for them,” Beckton said.

According to Beckton, video from the event shows a doll being taken from a concession stand and a Black doll later being held by a student in the student section. The district has not said whether it has determined who handled the doll or what was said while it was being displayed.

Beckton said the incident forced her to explain what happened to her daughter.

News4JAX reported that Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie said officials from the two school districts began communicating soon after the match.

“There’s already been phone calls between our superintendent and their superintendent as well,” Willie said. He said Duval's athletic director had also been in contact with the state athletic association.

In an interview with News4JAX, Jacksonville City Council member JuCoby Pittman said the match should have been stopped if officials saw the doll being displayed.

“The game should have been stopped,” Pittman said. “There was no reason if they saw someone holding up a Black doll and you not say anything about it.”

The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP condemned the reported conduct and called for “an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation.”

“Student-athletes deserve to compete in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from hatred,” the organization said in a statement. “No young person should ever be subjected to racial harassment while representing their school and pursuing the sport they love.”

According to the News4JAX report, the NAACP called for those found responsible to be held accountable. The allegations remain under investigation, and Nassau school officials have not announced disciplinary findings.

The incident also drew a response in Fernandina Beach.

Pastor Granardo Felix of Trinity United Methodist Church urged the community on Facebook to allow the investigation to determine what occurred.

“The reports of racially offensive behavior are not only upsetting but also a stark reminder of the work we still have ahead of us in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students,” Felix wrote in his Facebook post.

Felix said the community should “remain patient during the investigation process,” adding that school administrators should be given an opportunity to establish the facts.

The Nassau County School District said it would not provide further details while the investigation involving students remains active.

“We will provide updates as appropriate while respecting student privacy and the integrity of the investigative process,” the district said.

The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP on Friday condemned the reported conduct and called on school officials to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.

“The Jacksonville Branch NAACP unequivocally condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the reported racist and abhorrent conduct directed at the volleyball players of Andrew Jackson High School by students, fans, and others at Fernandina Beach High School,” the organization said in a statement dated Sept. 11.

The NAACP said racism, bigotry and intimidation have no place in schools or athletic programs and that student-athletes should be able to compete without racial harassment.

“This conduct is unacceptable, disgraceful, and demands a serious response,” the organization said. “We call for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into these reports.”

The NAACP also called for those found responsible to be held accountable and for school officials to take action to prevent a recurrence.

“Silence and inaction are not acceptable,” the statement said. “The Jacksonville Branch NAACP stands firmly with the Andrew Jackson High School volleyball players, their families, coaches, and school community.”