Nassau Schools Investigate Racist Conduct Allegations at Fernandina Beach Volleyball Match
FERNANDINA BEACH — Nassau County school officials are investigating allegations that Fernandina Beach High School students directed racial slurs, chants and gestures at Andrew Jackson High School volleyball players during a match Thursday night, including allegations that a student displayed a Black baby doll from the stands.
The district said administrators are reviewing video and gathering information from students, coaches, staff and others who attended the match. Nassau school officials are also communicating with Duval County Public Schools.
“We take reports of racially offensive behavior extremely seriously,” the district said in a statement Friday. “Racism has no place in our schools or at our athletic events, and every student-athlete and guest deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The district has not said what its investigation has established so far or identified any students involved. It said any action would depend on the investigation’s findings and district policies.
The allegations surfaced after an Andrew Jackson parent described the incident on Facebook, saying several Fernandina Beach students held up a Black baby doll while directing “racial slurs, chants, and gestures” toward the Jacksonville team.
The parent said that when an Andrew Jackson player was injured, students held the doll upside down and made jokes.
Antoinette Beckton, an Andrew Jackson parent, reported the incident on Facebook as racial discrimination and intimidation.
“It was disrespect; it displayed racial discrimination, intimidation and it also displayed that this sort of behavior that they’re doing has been the normal for them,” Beckton said.
According to Beckton, video from the event shows a doll being taken from a concession stand and a Black doll later being held by a student in the student section. The district has not said whether it has determined who handled the doll or what was said while it was being displayed.
"Our girls showed up to represent Andrew Jackson High School, play volleyball, and compete. They should have been able to leave that gym talking about serves, kills, blocks, and the final score—not racial slurs and a Black doll being used to mock and degrade them," Beckton said in her Facebook post.
Beckton said the incident forced her to explain what happened to her daughter.
“She was sad, she didn’t understand everything that was going on,” Beckton said. “So I had to have those conversations with her and let her know that this type of behavior is not okay.”
NewsJax4 reported that Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie said officials from the two school districts began communicating soon after the match.
“There’s already been phone calls between our superintendent and their superintendent as well,” Willie said. He said Duval's athletic director had also been in contact with the state athletic association.
In an interview with NewsJax4, Jacksonville City Council member JuCoby Pittman said the match should have been stopped if officials saw the doll being displayed.
“The game should have been stopped,” Pittman said. “There was no reason if they saw someone holding up a Black doll and you not say anything about it.”
The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP condemned the reported conduct and called for “an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation.”
“Student-athletes deserve to compete in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from hatred,” the organization said in a statement. “No young person should ever be subjected to racial harassment while representing their school and pursuing the sport they love.”
According to the NewsJax4 report, the NAACP called for those found responsible to be held accountable. The allegations remain under investigation, and Nassau school officials have not announced disciplinary findings.
The incident also drew a response in Fernandina Beach.
Pastor Granardo Felix of Trinity United Methodist Church urged the community on Facebook to allow the investigation to determine what occurred.
“The reports of racially offensive behavior are not only upsetting but also a stark reminder of the work we still have ahead of us in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students,” Felix wrote in his Facebook post.
Felix said the community should “remain patient during the investigation process,” adding that school administrators should be given an opportunity to establish the facts.
The Nassau County School District said it would not provide further details while the investigation involving students remains active.
“We will provide updates as appropriate while respecting student privacy and the integrity of the investigative process,” the district said.
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