Teen arrested and charged after allegedly posting a racist slur on his social media in America

Photography by Naveeda Khoshbo

16-year-old teenager was arrested and charged after allegedly posting a photo of a black classmate with a racist slur to his social media earlier this month.

The student took a photo of a black classmate and posted it on snapchat on May 7 with a racist caption. The Fairfield Warde High School student is not identified because he is a minor, the slur used in the post by him is not verified. According to the Black student's mother the student who made the post is white.

After the incident Fairfield Warde High School sent a letter to parents and informed both families.

The teen is charged with ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race police said. He has also been charged with breach of the peace.

Hate speech is protected speech in America citizens cannot be charged with a crime for expressing racist opinions. However Joe Biden signed a new law which gives local and federal officials new tools to combat hate crimes.