Teacher Faces Backlash For Making Anti-Asian Gesture During Online Class

Anti-Asian Gesture on zoom call: A high school teacher faces backlash after making an anti-Asian gesture during a Zoom class.

According to local reports, the teacher Nichole Burkett intentionally narrowed her eyes during online classes last week. Burkett is a Spanish teacher and advisor for the class of 2022 at Grant Union High School in California.

Burkett said, "If your eyes go up, you’re Chinese. If they go down, they’re Japanese. If they’re just straight, you don’t know,” while she simultaneously used her fingers to stretch her eyes. After Burkett finished making her anti-Asian gestures a student can be heard saying “I should leave your class right now!”

In a statement to the Sacramento Bee, Two Rivers United School District spokesperson Zenobia Gerald called the video “shocking” and “disappointing”. Gerald added that the district has opened a probe into the anti-Asian incident.

Gerald stated that the video does not represent the values held by Twin Rivers or the community. “An investigation was immediately launched when we were notified about the video. Please know that Twin Rivers is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil learning environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate any form of racism from any member of our school community,” added Gerald.

The principal of Grant Union High School Darris Hinson issued a statement similar to Gerald’s statement to the staff. Burkett declined to comment on the paper.

Feature Image Credit: New York Post