In a shocking incident, a family in Long Beach is furious after a girl received a monkey and a toilet with fake poop as a prize gift from school.
A fundraiser prize sparks outrage in Long Beach
A family in Long Beach, California, is demanding answers after a young student received a controversial prize for her fundraising efforts.
The prize, a toy monkey and a toilet with fake poop, has led to accusations of insensitivity from school officials.
Genesis Thomas, a fifth-grade student at Mann Elementary School, participated in a school fundraiser.
She successfully raised $160 and was rewarded with a prize from her teacher. However, her family was shocked and outraged when they saw the gift.
Craig Polk, Genesis’ great-uncle, expressed his concerns about the choice of prize.
“It was the prize that she received that we found inappropriate. The prize was a monkey and a toilet with poop in it. African Americans have been referred to as monkeys throughout history, and for her to receive a monkey… it’s unacceptable, just unacceptable,” Polk said.
Family demands apology and policy changes
The family now seeks an apology from the school and calls for sensitivity training for staff.
They are concerned about whether Genesis was singled out or if the prize was randomly assigned. The school, located in Belmont Heights, a predominantly non-Black neighborhood, has not provided a clear explanation.
Genesis, however, seemed unfazed by the gift. Her family, on the other hand, has reached out to the school principal multiple times without receiving a response.
School district responds to controversy
The Long Beach Unified School District released a statement addressing the concerns.
“Multiple students received this prize as part of their fundraising achievements. While the school’s intention was to provide lighthearted and fun rewards for students, we recognize that this particular item was not appropriate for our school setting.”
The district also assured parents that it is reviewing its prize selection process to ensure future rewards align with school values and provide a positive experience for all students.
Conflicting perspectives from the community
While the family claims Genesis was the only student to receive such a prize, the district insists that all prizes and donation levels were communicated in advance.
Other parents have also defended the school, saying the fundraiser details were shared weeks before the event.
“The fact of the matter is it was all laid out from the very start,” said Laura, a parent at the school. “If there was a problem with this toy, there was an opportunity to raise concerns before participating.”
Despite the district’s response, questions remain about whether Genesis was specifically targeted due to her race. The highest prize in the fundraiser was a mini fridge, but the family is unsure how other prizes were distributed.
In short, The controversy continues as the family awaits a direct response from the school administration.