Colorado State University says it won't punish students wearing blackface in social media photo because it violates their First Amendment rights

Colorado State University (CSU) revealed it will not punish students pictured on social media wearing blackface because it allegedly violates their First Amendment rights.

The inflammatory photo showed three topless men, and one woman, all posing with dark paint on their faces and the caption 'Wakanda forevaa.'

The pupils made reference to the comic book and 2018 film 'Black Panther' with a salute from the fictional African people of Wakanda and also text on screen.  

CSU President Joyce McConnell said the pupils did not violate school polices by sharing the information on social media accounts, the Denver Post reported.

In an email written to students, faculty and staff she acknowledged the photo had caused a 'great deal of pain to members of our community.'

+4

Four students were photographed wearing blackface and two making salutes from the comic book and film Black Panther. The image also appeared to be captioned 'Wakanda forevaa' on screen in reference to the fictional location

+4

+4

One student shared a portion of the email (left) sent out by Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell (right), in which she admitted it 'caused a great deal of pain' but that the actions did not violate any rules at the school

She claimed to have received multiple complaints about the picture, where people feared the image would 'perpetuate deliberate racism and create a climate that feels deeply hostile.'

But McConnell added, posts on the private profiles of anyone affiliated to CSU is 'not under our jurisdiction.'

'Our community members — students, faculty and staff — can generally post whatever they wish to post on their personal online accounts in accordance with their First Amendment rights,' she wrote. 

McConnell added that the offensive photo 'does not violate any rule established by the university.'

She went onto suggest: 'Campus leaders could use the time to help educate others about race, racial history and identity.

'We are all here at CSU to learn, and we believe that this can be a powerful learning moment that leads to healing and reconciliation.

'We urge every member of our community to listen, and to hear, all the voices that make up this wonderful, diverse campus family so we can move forward together, stronger than ever.'

Tay Anderson who shared the shocking image wrote: 'CSU Students wearing BLACK FACE! We should be outraged!!!!!!'

+4

Colorado State University wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff that they would not punish the students because it would violate their First Amendment rights

Another Facebook user Beckita Savir posted part of the email from McConnell on Thursday and vented: 'This is bull**** and there needs to be consequences'

The female student in the picture, who has been allegedly identified online, wrote an 'apology' on Facebook in a post that has since been deleted.

A screenshot appeared of post read: 'We all make mistakes and learn from them. I deeply regret any pain that my insensitive actions have caused. 

'My mistake has hurt others, but it has also caused others to make me an unwarranted target. As we share our experience at CSU let’s all learn together.' 

Since the screenshot was shared others responded with anger.   

'I'm sorry But I'm gonna be real..F* HER AND HER RACIST ACE FRIENDS,' Donna Garduno wrote. 

Catie Kannenberg added: 'Unwarranted? No. Completely warranted.'

Jamie Vierk commented: 'I did something that others called me out for and I don’t like being called out for my s****y behavior” is what this “apology” translates to.'