High school is slammed after student newspaper published 'Hitler had some good ideas' in its overheard on campus page

A Sacramento high school newspaper has been hit with backlash after publishing an article saying 'Hitler had some good ideas' in its 'overheard' section.

C.K. McClatchy High School in the Land Park area has been slammed with controversy due to an article published in the student newspaper's spring edition. 

The Prospector printed an offhand remark allegedly made by a student, who said 'Hitler's got some good ideas' in a Government class. 

After one of the paper's editors heard the shocking comment, it was included in the 'What did you say' section - a feature that states 'some of the weirdest stuff' overheard on campus.

Nine of the 'favorite' remarks were listed, including other items such as 'I would definitely get suspended if I beat up the mascot' and 'I miss my ex. I'm probably gonna stalk him.'

C.K. McClatchy High School in the Land Park area of Sacramento has been slammed with controversy due to an article published in the student newspaper's spring edition that said 'Hitler's got some good ideas'

The Prospector's website lists seniors Ivy Hawkins and Ilijah Curtin as editors

'I may have kissed my cousin,' 'Dammit, I wasted the whole time drawing drugs' and 'Please stop licking my armpits' were several of the other 'favorite quotes' included.  

The disturbing Hitler comment was last on the list. 

After receiving furious backlash, the paper issued a 'response to 2024 Spring Edition Controversy.'

'The recent release of the spring edition of The Prospector has sparked controversy, and we would like to speak on the matter that involves a column found on page 15 titled 'What Did You Say' which includes anonymous quotes from students here at McClatchy. The quote in question is 'Hitler's got some good ideas.'

'We would first like to express that this quote does NOT reflect our ideals or beliefs; it was included to spark a conversation on how students here choose to use their words. The quote was included along with others deemed inappropriate for school, such as, 'I miss my ex. I'm probably gonna stalk him.'

'The topic of Hitler is, of course, a very sensitive one, especially considering the current political climate. We understand many were hurt and are concerned about the publishing of this quote. We, as a news outlet, believe it is important to bring awareness to the fact that a student on campus felt it was ok to say that in a classroom setting.'

After the inviting those who want to express their opinion on the matter openly because the paper 'want to hear your voices' - the editors were then forced to disable Instagram comments because of 'malicious comments' 

'Unfortunately, due to individuals using the comment section to publicly shame and make malicious statements, we have decided to disable our comment section,' an Instagram post stated.

The Prospector's website lists seniors Ivy Hawkins and Ilijah Curtin as editors.

It it is unclear who made the initial decision to include the controversial quote, which editor heard the statement being uttered and who said the disturbing sentence to begin with. 

The paper's faculty advisor, Samantha Archuleta said that, although the remark was troubling it was 'important' for them to report it.

After receiving furious backlash, the paper issued a 'response to 2024 Spring Edition Controversy'

McClatchy High's principal, Andrea Egan, said in an autodial response to the antisemitic remark sent to parents and the school community on Sunday that she found the comment 'alarming'. Pictured: McClatchy High School 

Archuleta, writing with her student-editor, Ilijah Curtin, told The Sacramento Bee, 'The discussion before the publication was that the students' intent was to show a variety of overheard statements on campus, from innocuous to harmful.' 

The faculty advisor said that the student journalists and the editor that overhead the comment made by her classmate are working on a follow-up story to provide more context.  

McClatchy High's principal, Andrea Egan, said in an autodial response to the antisemitic remark sent to parents and the school community on Sunday that she found the comment 'alarming.' 

'My primary goal was and is to ensure that our campus is a safe and welcoming community for all students while navigating the complicated free speech issues associated with student publications,' she said in the message. 

'I promptly met with the journalism students early the next day to discuss my concerns, and shared with them the importance of exercising good judgment in their editorial decision-making. Words have the power to cause harm.'

Egan also said that she would be organizing a meeting with representatives from a local Jewish congregation to strategize on a response. 

Brian Heap, the chief spokesman for the Sacramento City Unified School District, released a a statement saying that the 'highly offensive comment' hadn't been reported to a teacher or administrator before it was published. 

'Our principals are first and foremost instructional leaders and, in this capacity, Principal Egan felt that addressing the (journalism) class directly and promptly was an important and necessary teaching opportunity.' 

DailyMail.com have reached out to The Prospector and C.K. McClatchy High School for comment.