Deals & Steals Holiday Gifting Extravaganza!

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Living

Valedictorian's anti-racism message sparks controversy: 'I wanted a wake-up call'

VIDEO: Valedictorian's anti-racism message sparks controversy
0:57
Valedictorian's anti-racism message sparks controversy
Jada Tulloch
ByNicole Pelletiere
June 09, 2020, 2:49 pm

A valedictorian who's attracting attention for her speech on anti-racism is speaking out about the meaning behind her video which has been viewed by thousands.

Jada Tulloch, a senior at Middletown High School North in Middletown, New Jersey, shared her words on Instagram June 1 after her fellow students were protesting against a virtual commencement ceremony.

The 18-year-old told "Good Morning America" that her video received mixed responses from community members.

"They're emotionally-charged words that sparked a reaction but that's exactly what I wanted," Tulloch said. "There's so many issues in my community, but no one really talks about it. I wanted a wake-up call."

Jada Tulloch, a senior and the valedictorian of Middletown High School North in Middletown, New Jersey, is attracting attention for her speech on anti-racism which has been viewed by thousands.
Jada Tulloch

Tulloch said the aftermath of George Floyd's death prompted her to shift her focus from graduation to expressing a desire for change.

"For me, graduation represents the fact that I've survived years of racial discrimination, oppression and disgusting comments from the close-minded people that I surround myself with in this godforsaken town," Tulloch said in her video. "So if I don't care about graduation right now, I don't know how you could."

With the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and how they're victims of police brutality, it's hard growing up and seeing people who look like you being treated in such a vile way.

MORE: 15-year-old to graduate with a high school diploma and college degree in same week

She went on, "Put your energy into something that actually matters, stop trying to invalidate the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests against police brutality by comparing the injustices faced by minorities, to the oppression that you're facing from the Board of Ed."

The video has over 28,000 views and more than 1,400 comments.

VIDEO: Valedictorian's anti-racism message sparks controversy
0:57
Jada Tulloch's message about anti-racism on her social media goes viral leading her high school to react ahead of graduation.

On June 4, school superintendent William George released a public statement regarding Tulloch's video, writing in part, "Racially insensitive words of a few do not represent the views of a community" or of Middletown Township Public Schools.

"We support our Middletown High School North valedictorian, Jada Tulloch, in using her voice to share her perspective and speak out against racism," George wrote, adding that he's looking forward to hearing Tulloch's valedictorian speech on June 18. 

George also noted that hundreds reached out to denounce Tulloch's post, which was publicly shared on her own Instagram page.

"A lot of the parents thought I was rude [saying], 'Our kids shouldn't be caring about Black Lives Matter right now. They should be caring about their futures,'" Tulloch said of the comments.

"People were getting mad at me, but it isn't about me," she added. "With the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and how they're victims of police brutality, it's hard growing up and seeing people who look like you being treated in such a vile way."

Editor’s Picks

Until our son becomes the next ‘scary Black man’

  • Jun 02, 2020

Protester from viral video has message for young America: 'Don't turn your anger into rage'

  • Jun 03, 2020

Bernice A. King says her father would be 'proud' of young activists in wake of George Floyd's death

  • Jun 02, 2020
Jada Tulloch, a senior at Middletown High School North in Middletown, New Jersey, shared an anti-racism speech on Instagram June 1. The 18-year-old told "Good Morning America" that her video received mixed responses from community members.
Jada Tulloch

MORE: NFL player Zay Jones reveals heartfelt encounter with white stranger amid George Floyd protests

Tulloch proposes a redesigned school curriculum that's centered on the history of minorities and is taught from a non-eurocentric lens.

As for furthering education on racial injustice and oppression, Tulloch said the conversation starts "in your own hometown."

"Young people have a voice and if they do experience something negative they should channel that into strength," she added. "Everyone has the right to embrace who they are, and not experience backlash for existing."

Tulloch will deliver her valedictorian speech later this month at a social distancing graduation ceremony.

She's leaving high school with a 4.0 GPA, was president of the environmental club, president of a drug and alcohol prevention group and a member of Model UN.

Tulloch is headed to New York's Columbia University in the Fall and is considering pre-med or a career in humanities.

Editor’s Picks

Until our son becomes the next ‘scary Black man’

  • Jun 02, 2020

Protester from viral video has message for young America: 'Don't turn your anger into rage'

  • Jun 03, 2020

Bernice A. King says her father would be 'proud' of young activists in wake of George Floyd's death

  • Jun 02, 2020

Up Next in Living—

How to use a shower rod to hang Christmas garland without ruining your walls

November 29, 2023

Christmas tree pests: Woman opens up about surprise encounter

November 29, 2023

In a world of misinformation, uncertainty, 'authentic' earns 2023 word of the year by Merriam-Webster

November 28, 2023

Family credits antibiotic with saving their dog's life amid mystery respiratory illness

November 28, 2023

Shop Holiday Digital Deals

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News