US teens, expelled for 'blackface', get $1 million compensation. They were wearing acne cream

The selfie resurfaced and went viral in 2020 amid the intense Black Lives Matter protests. (Image: @EndWokeness/X)

Two teenagers from an elite California Catholic school have been jointly awarded more than $1 million after successfully proving that they were falsely accused of wearing blackface, which turned out to be a harmless green acne face mask.

The incident dates back to 2017 when the then-14-year-old students of Saint Francis High School in Mountain View participated in a sleepover. During the event, they applied a light green acne treatment mask in solidarity with a friend who was battling severe acne. Little did they know that a seemingly innocent selfie taken that night would resurface and go viral in 2020 amid the intense Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd.

The controversy led to their expulsion from the school in 2020, sparking a legal battle that culminated in a landmark decision by a Santa Clara County jury this week. According to the Los Angeles Times, the jury found that the school breached an oral contract and failed to provide due process before expelling the students.

The teens, identified in court documents as A.H. and H.H., were granted $500,000 each in compensation and will also receive reimbursement for the $70,000 tuition fees.

Blackface refers to the practice of non-black individuals darkening their skin with makeup or other materials to portray and mock stereotypical caricatures of black people. This form of performance has a deeply racist history, originating in 19th-century minstrel shows where white performers would wear black makeup, exaggerate facial features, and engage in demeaning and dehumanising portrayals of African Americans.

Blackface perpetuates harmful stereotypes and has been widely condemned as offensive, derogatory, and reflective of systemic racism.

"This case is not only a victory for our clients but also sets a precedent for all private high schools in California," remarked Krista Baughman to local news, one of the attorneys representing the students. "It establishes the legal requirement for fair procedures to be followed before punitive actions are taken against students."

The significance of the ruling extends beyond monetary compensation, as it demands accountability and transparency in disciplinary actions within private educational institutions.

In response to the verdict, a statement from A.H.'s family expressed gratitude to the judicial system, stating, "We want to sincerely thank the jury and the court system for helping our boys and our families find justice, which now paves the way for their names to be cleared for things they never did."

Despite the substantial settlement, the lawsuit's original claim of $20 million was not fully upheld, with the jury rejecting certain aspects such as defamation and violation of free speech.

Representatives of Saint Francis High School expressed their disagreement with the jury's decision and stated that they are considering legal options, including a potential appeal.