Here & Now

Baraboo Students Make Nazi Salute

Frederica Freyberg:
Now to a controversy this week in Baraboo, a small town getting international attention from a single photograph. The photo shows high school boys giving what appears to be a Nazi salute. It was taken in Baraboo last spring. The parent who took the photo says it’s been misconstrued. The boys were asked to wave goodbye before prom. But Baraboo Superintendent Lori Mueller sent a letter to parents midweek saying, “Details of a formal investigation will be forthcoming but in the meantime, the district is in the planning stages with civic, community, and faith leaders to host an upcoming community program.” Mueller also says, “Regardless of the details of the photo or the intentions in the hearts of those involved, the truth is this is an image that has rightly been described as hateful, frightening and disappointing. We are so very sorry that the actions of some of our students so understandably and deeply hurt people around the world. We have heard from families whose loved ones were lost in death camps, who fought in the war against such evil and who rightly cannot imagine that an image like this exists in our modern day.” The superintendent says the program is designed as an opportunity to come together, to listen, learn and heal.