A middle school student in Loudoun County, Virginia, filmed himself using ethnic slurs to harass a 5-year-old Asian boy, who pleaded for help and cried, “No! Don’t hurt me! Don’t hurt me!” as laughter was heard in the background. The video was shared in a chat group by students from Eagle Ridge Middle School, and a concerned parent brought it to the boy’s family.
The boy’s mother expressed heartache over her son being insulted, while his father struggled to explain the slur, having never heard it before. They are troubled not just by the harassment but also by older children who watched and laughed.
Having moved from China for a better life, the couple chose Loudoun County for its schools but now feel disappointed. The school division condemned the behavior and offered counseling for the victim, but since the incident didn’t occur at school, it is unlikely the student who made the video will face disciplinary action.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating but cannot comment on details involving minors. The boy’s parents hope to raise awareness about racism, urging families to teach their children not to use hateful language. “It’s not right,” his mother said.