# Students Walk Out Over Blackface Incident

> Santa Barbara students protest school board's handling of blackface social media post.
- Title: Students Walk Out Over Blackface Incident · Newsweek
- Summary: Santa Barbara students protest school board's handling of blackface social media post. Santa Barbara high school students walked out after school board…
- Keywords: san marcos high school, dos pueblos high school, santa barbara unified school district, blackface, racism, tiktok, school board, Students, Walk, Incident, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/students-walk-out-school-board-promoting-racism-12573170
- Published: 2026-10-16T09:53:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: san marcos high school, dos pueblos high school, santa barbara unified school district, blackface, racism, tiktok, school board
## Blackface TikTok Incident
Four San Marcos High School students created a TikTok post mimicking Black children using AI-generated darkening of skin.
## School Board Response
Principal Dare Holdren sent messages to families stating students who portrayed blackface faced consequences.
## Student Walkout
Students from San Marcos and Dos Pueblos high schools walked out on Tuesday, October 13.
## Superintendent Statement
Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado called the incident racist and harmful, saying there is no place for hate in schools.
## Student Concerns
Students reported Black students face racism with little acknowledgment or punishment despite speaking up before.
## Board Action
School board pledged to discuss racism and systemic issues at a future meeting.
## Key takeaway

Santa Barbara high school students walked out after school board failed to address systemic racism following a blackface TikTok incident.