Video of students rapping creates controversy at elite SoCal school

BRENTWOOD, CA -- A video of students singing a rap song containing profane and offensive lyrics has stirred up controversy at an elite Westside private school, leading to a campus investigation and a petition on change.org.

The video shows students of the Brentwood School at an off-campus party singing along to a song by rapper A$AP Ferg that contains multiple instances of racial and misogynistic language.

After the video was posted on social media, a petition was launched on change.org stating: "Brentwood school has failed to protect its students. A group of almost exclusively white students had a party on a boat and decided to sing the n word multiple times. Brentwood has done nothing other than offer to 'talk to them'."

Retired baseball player Barry Bonds said his daughter goes to the school and he tweeted out: "I am sad that I had to see this at my daughters school. #Racism #Fixit #Suspension."

School officials said they are investigating the incident and considering potential disciplinary action.

"We are investigating this insensitive behavior, will address the situation directly, and will respond seriously," the school said.

The school also sent an email to parents saying that school officials had met with all students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades as well as faculty to discuss the issue.

"Please understand that we will not tolerate racism at our school," the email said. "We rely on our core values as the foundation for decision making, even more so in complex and emotionally charged situations like this."

The Brentwood School on its website states that it "embraces diversity and inclusivity as essential to a full education, and is committed to creating an environment that fosters openness and acceptance."

The school's East Campus, which encompasses grades 7-12, is described as 34 percent students of color, while the West Campus, for grades K-6, is 26 percent students of color.

Tuition is $37,725 this year, with 15 percent of families receiving financial aid.