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The family of a Black girl is outraged after the fifth-grade student was awarded a toy monkey and toilet filled with fake poop for her efforts in a school fundraiser.
According to KTTV, Genesis Thomas, a student at Mann Elementary School in Long Beach, California, received the prizes after raising $160 for a school fundraiser. Thomas' family believes the prize selection of a toy monkey and toilet was "inappropriate."
“It was the prize that she received that we found inappropriate. The prize was a monkey and a toilet with poop in it. African Americans have been referred to as monkeys throughout history, and for her to receive a monkey… it’s unacceptable, just unacceptable,” Craig Polk, Thomas' great-uncle, said.
The family said it's unclear whether Thomas was racially targeted, noting that they didn't see any other students receive the toy monkey and toilet. The highest prize a student could earn for their fundraising efforts was a mini fridge.
In a statement, Long Beach Unified School District officials addressed the incident, saying Thomas wasn't the only one to receive the toys. School officials also noted that “all prizes and their corresponding donation levels were communicated to families in advance.”
The toys were intended to “provide lighthearted and fun rewards for students,” but the district said they “recognize that this particular item was not appropriate for our school setting.”
“We want to be clear that there was no intention to cause harm or offense. We sincerely apologize for any hurt or frustration this situation may have caused to our students, families, and the broader school community,” a district spokesperson said in a statement.
Thomas' family is seeking sensitivity training for school staff members. The district added that it's reviewing its prize selection process for future fundraisers.
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