Florida Art Teacher Fired After Video Shows Hanging Black Doll

A Florida middle school art teacher has been fired after hanging a Black baby doll by its neck from a classroom television, an incident captured on video by a student that sparked widespread condemnation and an official investigation. The Hillsborough County School District confirmed the dismissal of teacher Karen Savage following the Monday incident at Barrington Middle School in Lithia.

According to student accounts, Savage, 63, took a doll from a student during class, wrapped a charging cord around its neck, and hung it from a flatscreen television. Students in the classroom immediately objected, telling the teacher her actions were wrong and racist. The teacher responded that it was a joke and subsequently took the doll down, students reported.

One student, Noah Carter, 14, recorded part of the incident. He said that when he attempted to report the teacher to school administrators, she followed him and talked over him as he recounted what happened. Carter’s mother, Nina Williams, posted the video online, stating the teacher’s excuse was that she did it to get the students’ attention. Williams described the act as a blatant, disgusting act of hate that emotionally affected...