Red Wing School District settles 'Wangsta Day' race suit

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Red Wing School District settles 'Wangsta Day' race suit

Updated: July 14, 2012 - 4:29 PM

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A lawsuit filed by a black student against the Red Wing School District over an informal homecoming week ritual mocking African-Americans has been resolved, pending court approval.

The lawsuit, filed last August in federal court by Quera Pruitt, alleged that about 70 Red Wing High School students engaged in an exercise in bigotry and bullying by wearing baggy pants and do-rags and flashing gang signs on Wednesday of homecoming week.

The day had become known among students as "Wednesday Wigger Day" or "Wangsta Day." The racially offensive activity sent Pruitt, who has since graduated, into a "deep depression" that almost prompted her to quit school, the suit said.

Although the activity, dating to at least 2007, wasn't sanctioned by the high school, administrators "failed to take adequate steps to address the conduct," the suit said.

Pruitt's attorney, Joshua Williams, confirmed that the case had been settled, but declined to discuss details. Pruitt sued for more than $75,000.

The school board voted last week to settle the case. Superintendent Karsten Anderson said the board approved its attorney's recommendation regarding resolution.