HANOVER, Va. — The logo designed for a professional development conference in a Virginia school district sparked outrage online and has prompted an apology after many said that the image looked like a swastika.
The image, which was intended to portray four hands and arms grasping together in a “symbol of unity,” appeared as part of a Hanover County Public Schools professional learning conference, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Rachel Levy, a candidate for Virginia’s House of Delegates, posted a photo of a T-shirt distributed at the conference that featured the logo, saying, “Let’s hope an explanation and apology comes soon.”
Yes, I have seen the Hanover Schools new swastika-like logo.
— Rachel for Delegate (@RachelAnneLevy) August 3, 2022
Sigh.
Let's hope an explanation and apology comes soon. pic.twitter.com/GaI6yShIm7
A nonprofit group, Stop Antisemitism, also shared a photo of a T-shirt with the caption: “We’re finding it hard to believe no one stopped to question this throughout the entire design and implementation process @HanoverSchools!”
Hanover County, VA - a shirt with a logo resembling a Nazi swastika is drawing outrage amongst participants at a teachers’ learning summit.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 3, 2022
We’re finding it hard to believe no one stopped to question this throughout the entire design and implementation process @HanoverSchools! pic.twitter.com/LezNd33G3u
In a message posted to the district’s website, Superintendent Michael Gill explained that the logo was created by a teacher and was made without any ill intent. Gill said the T-shirts featuring the logo are no longer being distributed, and that the logo is being removed from conference materials.
Gill apologized for the logo, saying: “We are deeply sorry for this mistake and for the emotions that the logo has evoked by its semblance to a swastika and, by extension, to the atrocities that were committed under its banner. Unquestionably, we condemn anything associated with the Nazi regime in the strongest manner possible.”
In an open letter, the Hanover County NAACP said, “We stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in calling out this insensitivity.” The Hanover County NAACP also called for the district to hire an equity and diversity director, as well as for all school employees to receive diversity training.
Statement from Hanover NAACP regarding the logo used by Hanover County Public Schools. pic.twitter.com/OuKHAeJuTT
— Hanover County VA NAACP (@hcbnaacpva) August 3, 2022
“I understand why people are angry. I, myself, am angry,” Daniel Staffenberg, CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, told WWBT. “I hope this was a simple oversight because the resemblance, while it’s not an official swastika, the resemblance would have raised a flag for many.”
You think your school district is going through some stuff? Well at least you're not Hanover County Public Schools. This is completely unacceptable and a shame for students, educators, and the community to have to endure. pic.twitter.com/VbePs6cRDR
— Kevin Hickerson (@KevinHickerson1) August 3, 2022
A spokesman for the school district told the Times-Dispatch that the administration plans to re-evaluate the process by which logos are approved.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there have been 12 antisemitic incidents in Virginia in 2022.
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