In Georgia, what should have been a fun high school volleyball game turned into a controversy that has the whole community talking. At Whitewater High School in Fayette County, five white individuals showed up in full blackface, paired with curly afro-style wigs, and stood side by side to spell out “RYLEE” across their chests. The “blackout” theme for the game was supposed to mean fans wore black clothing. Instead, this group decided to take things to the next level, and it’s left residents outraged and school leaders scrambling for damage control.
The photo quickly circulated online, and it wasn’t long before residents, parents, and even state leaders in Georgia were condemning the display. “I’m trying to figure out why in 2025, this is not entertainment, this is not cute, this is not fun,” said Democratic state Rep. Derrick Jackson during a press conference. His words captured what many parents and community members were feeling: shock, disappointment, and anger, per 11 Alive.
At a school board meeting, parents didn’t hold back. Adrian Cooley, a parent, expressed just how painful the moment was: “If you’ve never had a blackface incident at your child’s school, you don’t know the pain I felt when I saw that picture.” For many families in Georgia, the image wasn’t just “offensive.” It felt like history repeating itself, reopening old wounds that communities have worked hard to heal.
Georgia Community Angry After High School Volleyball Game Turns Into Racist Controversy
Local NAACP leaders were quick to demand change. Quentin Pullen, Vice President of the Fayette County NAACP, pointed out the obvious: “Blackout means simply just wearing black, not on your face.” He and others pushed for the district to update its code of conduct to specifically prohibit blackface at school events, ensuring this doesn’t become a recurring problem.
Adding another layer to the story, a man familiar with the group read a statement on their behalf at the board meeting. According to him, the five people involved didn’t mean any harm and were simply trying to support a Whitewater volleyball player named Rylee. “There was no racial intent behind the actions,” he said, adding that the group immediately wiped off the paint when asked by administrators. The apology was there, but for many in Georgia, intent doesn’t erase impact.
Whitewater High School Principal Krystin Hall confirmed that none of the five are current Whitewater students. Fayette County Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Patterson also weighed in, stressing that the individuals should never have been allowed to participate in the first place. “We want to state clearly: it is never acceptable to paint one’s face black,” Patterson said in a statement. He called the act “deeply offensive” and promised better training for staff moving forward.
The Internet Is In A Heated Debate
Of course, the internet had plenty to say about the incident, and they weren’t exactly in agreement. “It was a theme for a game. My goodness people are stupid and brainwashed,” one person wrote via X. “This innocent racism bit is getting old,” another wrote. “Terrible look. Intent or not, not realizing how this comes across is just plain dumb,” a third person said.
Now, the district is reviewing policies and reinforcing training for staff on how to respond to racially insensitive incidents. But for parents and students in Georgia, the damage has already been done. A night meant for school spirit and community turned into a lesson in cultural sensitivity that should have been obvious in 2025.
Nina Franklin 
Kenna Raye 
