Seven-Year-Old Black Child Called a ‘Monkey’ and Told He Can’t Play Basketball—Augusta County School Brushes It Off as First Offense
Gray described being informed that, because it was the student's first offense, the school considered it "a good conversation starter" for her son about dealing with racist behavior.
December 20, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 19, 2026
In a disturbing incident at an Augusta County elementary school, a seven-year-old Black student was reportedly called a “Black African Monkey” by another child and told he could not play basketball with a group of peers because of his race.
The child’s mother, Jaszmyn Gray, took to Facebook to share her experience, expressing disappointment at the school’s handling of the matter.
Gray’s post, which has sparked widespread discussion online, highlights her shock at the racist behavior her young son faced and the school’s response. Gray ,
“I trusted that the school would handle the situation and have consequences for the child that said this out-of-line statement,”
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She described being informed that, because it was the student’s first offense, the school considered it “a good conversation starter” for her son about dealing with racist behavior.
Gray said she was disheartened that her seven-year-old child had to confront such prejudice at a young age and frustrated that the school system she grew up in appeared to be dismissive of the behavior.
The incident has prompted an outpouring of support and concern from other parents and community members. Kyle Kline of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, wrote,
You shouldn’t have to deal with that Im sorry
Ashlyn Henderson emphasized parental responsibility in shaping children’s behavior, ,
Sounds to me like this kid probably heard this from somewhere. So let’s start with the parents, they should be the first to get what’s coming for them because why the HELL does anyone think it’s okay to still raise their children hearing and saying these kinds of things?
Several parents reflected on broader concerns regarding the local school system and the prevalence of such incidents.
Todd Diggs shared his own perspective after attending a school board meeting, noting,
Hey I went to a school board meeting couple months back to support a friend in the county school system and I will be the first to tell you everything was smiles and happiness until my friends got up there and spoke about the same situation in the county schools and everyone on that boards face was either of no concern or there whole facial expressions changed I have two in the county and I pray everyday I don’t get that call because I know ME sorry little man is dealing with this! Not to mention I worked for a man part time that’s sits on that board needless to say I asked him to take me off the schedule can’t do it!
Lois Gentry Moon offered words of support, simply ,
I am so very sorry that happened!
Meanwhile, Kelley Kassay urged caution in public discussions, emphasizing the complexity of children’s behavior and the potential consequences of online .
Kassay wrote,
Children are influenced by their peers at school as much as by their home environment. If the parents have addressed and corrected the behavior, there is no justification for publicizing the matter or subjecting a seven-year-old child to online criticism or hostility. No child is perfect, and it is neither fair nor reasonable to hold parents accountable for every action a child makes. Posts like this only serve to encourage targeted harassment of a minor, which is inappropriate and unnecessary. Exercising maturity and discretion would be far more constructive.
Other parents noted the frequency of similar incidents in the area. Lesha Arey commented,
What the HELL is going on?? This is the third parent I seen say this and my son literally came home the other day saying the same exact thing!!!!
These reactions suggested a concerning pattern of racial insensitivity affecting multiple children in the community.
Gray’s post and the comments emphasized the challenges that parents and students face when addressing racism in schools.
While the school in question appears to have treated the incident as a first-time offense with a conversation-based approach rather than a punitive one, many parents feel this response is insufficient.
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