OSWEGO, Ill. – Two Illinois high schoolers were suspended after they trashed another student’s class project because they allegedly thought it was racist.

The students told WGNtv.com they tried to discuss artwork put up by another student in class that depicted a burning cross and a member of the Klu Klux Klan, but the teacher allegedly would not provide a satisfactory explanation.

The Oswego East High School students said the image was on display for several weeks before they took it upon themselves to take it down, rip it up, and throw it away.

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“It made me feel uncomfortable,” student Carissa Williams says. “Why would someone display that in their classroom for all these kids to see and not have an explanation for why it was there?”

The district, however, provided an explanation for the project to parents in a prepared statement Friday, and is standing by the suspensions.

WGN reports:

“An assignment required that students research and develop a creative project with an oral presentation based on several main topics, including: Political and Social Tension; the Republican Era; Technology and Consumer Culture; Early Civil Rights; Women’s Rights; Popular Culture; Entertainment and Media; and Societal Changes. Once the students picked a broad topic, they were asked to choose a specific area of focus within the topic. One of the focus areas under Early Civil Rights was “Violence: KKK, Hiram Wesley Evans, Lynching.”

 “A visual depiction of a racially charged time in American history was created by a student as part of a classroom assignment. Students were asked, “What was the Roar” of the “Roaring 20s?” The assignment directed students to complete a creative project depicting what role social and cultural changes played in America during the 1920s.

“Once the students chose a topic and a focus area, they researched, developed, and completed their projects. All of the visual depictions created by the students were later displayed in the classroom except for one student’s depiction of a Ku Klux Klansman (KKK). The student recognized the potentially polarizing impact of the KKK depiction and spoke with the teacher. Together they agreed to not put it on display with the rest of the visual depictions.”

District officials contend that pictures of the class project were posted on social media sites without context, though they’re unsure who photographed the project.

“We are disappointed that the 1920s assignment incident has been misrepresented,” the district wrote in the statement. “We all continue to celebrate our diversity. It is the Board of Education’s policy to develop students’ awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural diversity and we will use this as a ‘teachable moment.’”

Many people who read the story online chastised WGNtv.com for not getting the complete story.

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“What’s missing from this story is that the project was part of a novel study using a novel approved by the district. The guidelines were clearly explained and at no point was racism a focus or purpose,” Anonymous posted.

“Perhaps WGN should have interviewed the artists? The students never approached the teacher about taking the artwork down. The teacher also spoke to the students and the parents. This story is bias and slanderous towards this teacher and the school.”

ZACKGUY123, reportedly a student in the class, confirmed Anonymous’ post.

“These girls never asked the teacher to take the art down, they never once mentioned it,” he posted. “Our teacher told us what it was for the first day it was up.”

Others believe the students’ punishment is insufficient.

“A two day suspension is appropriate, but they should not be allowed back in class until they apologize to the student whose artwork they destroyed,” Diane posted. “These two are getting off easy.”