Outrage after students place 'whites only' and 'coloreds only' signs above water fountains at South Carolina high school in segregation 'prank'

  • A photo taken at West Ashley High School on Wednesday showed signs above two separate water fountains reading 'whites only' and 'colored only'
  • The signs were designed to mimic the racial segregation of public facilities which were enacted in the south under Jim Crow law
  • An image of the signs quickly went viral on social media, where it was variously described as 'awful', 'ignorant' and 'hateful'
  • Students of various races allegedly placed the signs above the water fountains as a 'prank' and they have now been disciplined 

By Andrew Court For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Students at a South Carolina high school have sparked outrage after they placed signs reading 'whites only' and 'colored only' above two separate water fountains on campus. 

Teens of multiple races at West Ashley High School in Charleston allegedly carried out the act on Wednesday as a 'prank' designed to mimic the racial segregation of public facilities - a practice that was commonplace in the south until the 1960s. 

The school is currently in damage control after a photo of the signs was posted to Facebook and attracted widespread disgust. 

'I'm lost for words. Today someone decided this was okay,' one woman wrote beneath the image, which she encouraged her friends to share. 

The signs were variously described as 'awful', 'ignorant' and 'hateful'.  

Students at West Ashley High School in South Carolina have sparked outrage after they placed signs reading 'whites only' and 'colored only' above two separate water fountains on campus

Students at West Ashley High School in South Carolina have sparked outrage after they placed signs reading 'whites only' and 'colored only' above two separate water fountains on campus

West Ashley High School is known for being one of the most racially diverse schools in South Carolina

West Ashley High School is known for being one of the most racially diverse schools in South Carolina

'This is not a prank at all, this is learned behavior. These kids need to be expelled, this is disturbing and disgusting,' one stated. 

West Ashley High School is known for being one of the most racially diverse schools in South Carolina, with Niche reporting that the student body is 46% African-American and 43% white. 

Hispanics and other races comprise the remaining 11%, 

The school's principal, Ryan Cumback, was quick to act  - sending a letter to parents on Wednesday informing them of the disturbing act.  

'I understand how upsetting the image posted on social media is. That is why we acted swiftly in addressing the matter and why I am reaching out tonight,' he wrote, according to ABC 4. 

The signs were designed to mimic the racial segregation of public facilities which were enacted in the south under Jim Crow law up until the 1960s. A boy is pictured drinking from a colored drinking fountain in North Carolina in 1938

The signs were designed to mimic the racial segregation of public facilities which were enacted in the south under Jim Crow law up until the 1960s. A boy is pictured drinking from a colored drinking fountain in North Carolina in 1938

Segregated drinking fountains are seen in an undated photograph stored by the Library of Congress

Segregated drinking fountains are seen in an undated photograph stored by the Library of Congress 

'Please know I welcome your feedback, input, and concerns on the situation...  It is my sincere hope that we (staff, parents, students) can come together as a community by not allowing the actions of a few students define who we are.'

A spokesperson for the  Charleston County School District called the prank 'extremely offensive and distasteful'. 

The school has disciplined the students, but they will not face any criminal charges, according to local police.

Segregated drinking fountains are pictured in an undated photograph taken in the American South

Segregated drinking fountains are pictured in an undated photograph taken in the American South

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