This School's Black History Month Lunch Menu Has Seriously Pissed Off Their Community

How did they not see this coming?

A New Jersey school was forced to apologize after they put out a special “Black History Month” lunch menu that included fried chicken, sweet potato casserole, mac & cheese, cornbread and more.

“[The school’s food vendor] deeply regrets that, out of context, this menu may have been perceived by individuals as insensitive or in poor taste," said Cathy Penna, the Vice President of the company that created the menu. "The director at this location never intended to do anything that would offend anyone and deeply regrets the decision and understands that it could have been taken out of context.”

She’d later clarify that, “The suggestion was to do something to celebrate soul food." But they obviously didn’t foresee the angry reaction that the menu would create.

It’s not clear who complained first, but the school district’s superintendent realized the error of their ways and apologized as well. “The decision to include these items without any context or explanation, reinforces racial stereotypes and is not consistent with our district mission and efforts to improve cultural competency among our students and staff," he said in an email to the community.

There’s more two interesting details of note. First, the high school in question is roughly 82% white students, and less than 4% black. That hasn’t improved the public’s opinion on the faux pas.

But there’s also a strong contingent of people who think those offended are taking this too seriously, that this situation is political correctness run wild:

What do you think? Did this special menu go too far, or are those insulted being too sensitive?