Queen Creek (Ariz.) High School's "Redneck Day," an event inspired by TV's Duck Dynasty, drew a number of complaints from students and civil rights activists.
Now, the Department of Education is investigating whether the day created "a racially hostile environment," particularly involving a displays of the Confederate flag.
The DOE stated that "the display of the Confederate flag concerns rights protected by the 1st Amendment," which includes the right to freedom of speech.
The investigation, however, "will be limited to whether a racially hostile environment was created due to language and actions not protected by the 1st Amendment.
According to Tom Lindsey, superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District, the student wearing the Confederate flag had "no ill intent."
Lindsey explained that the student was asked to remove the flag.
He also noted that the student was originally from a state where the flag is more prevalent, noting, "It was explained to him that in Arizona, we look at it differently."
"We apologize to any people who, because of the word [redneck], were offended," Lindsey added; the Duck Dynasty stars and producers were in no way involved.
Reverend Jarrett Maupin, a prominent civil rights activist in Phoenix, is optimistic that the investigation of this incident will enable schools to avoid a repeat of this.
Maupin said the Department of Education's investigation will "determine the remedy" and aims to "shape new policy and racism prevention measures."
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