Review of 900 college yearbooks from 25 states uncovers numerous examples of racism

A review of 900 yearbook publications from 120 schools across the country conducted by USA Today found more than 200 examples of racist or offensive imagery.

The material and photos found to be racist or offensive reportedly came from colleges in 25 states, including Ivy League schools, public universities and virtually everything in between.

{mosads}Old yearbook photos have become the center of controversy recently after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) faced widespread backlash for racist photos found on his medical school yearbook page.

He has said he is not in the photos and resisted calls to resign.

A group of activists have since launched a crowdfund intended to pay for a close examination of the yearbooks of other Virginia officials.

USA Today said it did not find any racist or offensive images of politicians in its review, but did uncover evidence of objectionable material in multiple old yearbooks.

The analysis found several instances of blackface in old photos as well as students dressed in Ku Klux Klan robes. Confederate flags were also found on the reviewed pages.

Other photos in past yearbooks included mock lynchings and nooses.

USA Today said its review focused on the period of time “in the era after sweeping civil rights reform.”