An Indiana school superintendent is recommending the dismissal of a substitute teacher who posted a photo of himself in blackface on social media, WXIN reported.
Richard Gist, who also serves as an assistant coach for high school football and track teams, was cited by Brown County Superintendent Laura Hammack after the photo appeared on the teacher’s Facebook page, the television station reported.
"It was a sincere disconnect and I'm so sorry that Brown County has been aligned with a post that was of this nature, and I just want the community to know that Brown County is a very, very special place and that one post does not speak to who we are as a community," Hammack told WXIN.
Reached by telephone Friday, Gist said he believed the photo had been taken out of context, adding he was in costume with friends, the television station reported.
"In approximately 2008 or 2007, or thereabouts, on Halloween I dressed up as Bob Marley, a character that I admire who spreads love, peace, and hope, and I dressed up as this person out of respect for him and what he believes and not in the intent of offending anybody or insinuating that another race is superior to any other," Gist said.
The Brown County School Board will decide whether to terminate Gist's employment at its next meeting in early February, WXIN reported.
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