"They Crushed My Spirit:" Students Leave KKK Pancakes For Black Waitress

We're filing this under just plain racism. Unacceptable!

Instead of leaving a tip, a group of racist high school students left the letters KKK spelled out with their pancakes for a Black IHOP waitress. We're not surprised at this cowardly racist act, however the reactions from local residents in the area are...disturbing. 

According to The Grio, Tenasha Ballard, served a group of Bells High School students wearing letterman jackets on New Year's Eve in Sherman, Texas. When the group left, Ballard found a plate of pancakes that had been carved into the letters KKK. 

Sickening right? Well, brace yourself for what Sherman locals had to say. Chance Cocanougher, a former Bells High School student told local new station, KXII “It’s just, it’s just kids doing stupid stuff." 

Wait a minute, when did balant racism become 'just kid stuff'? Cocanougher isn't alone in his nonchalant views on racism. According to The Grio a local women, who remained anonymous, told KXII “Hope they grow out of it." 

As for Tenasha, she was deeply affected by this heinous act, saying: "They just crushed my spirit." We understand exactly what she's saying. We empathize. Nobody should have to experience that kind of behavior while at work.

Even the superintendent of Bells High School, Joe Moore, seemed to brush off the incident in his statement saying "As I understand, it took place at 2:30 a.m. and it was not a school related event nor were the students under BISD supervision in any way. In addition, it is worth noting BISD students are awarded letterman jackets for participation in numerous organizations, not just athletics. Again, we regret this occurred and wish Ms. Ballard the very best."

One would think that due to the seriousness of this situation, the least of his concerns would be the letterman jackets, but Moore found it 'worth noting.' 

Ballard also received harsh comments on her facebook page, blaming her for making the town of Bells look bad. “Everyone was trying to point blame like I’m calling out the town when I didn’t, the kids called out their own town,” Ballard said. “For them to come out in their school colors and disrespect someone because no one is going to do anything then they knew that they could do that. They felt like they could.” 

It seems Bells and Sherman, Texas need a lesson on how not to be racist, ignorant and disrespectful. SMH

Keep your head up Tenasha.