RALEIGH, N.C. – The principal of East Wake High School is facing backlash after a student group-chat filled with racist rhetoric was exposed.

Freshman Cenayia Edwards exposed Snapchat messages between white classmates containing several racist comments.

She says they double-downed when she pretended to be white to join the group chat, eventually calling her the n-word and saying phrases like “bring slavery back.”

The principal, Stacey Alston, says there’s not much he can do. But Edwards and her family say the school handbook says otherwise.

"I'm shocked at how they handled it, but I'm not shocked that it happened,” said Edwards mother Cecelia. “I mean I've been in this skin for 32 years. I'm used to it. I've learned to deal with it a little bit better. But I'm definitely shocked the school handled it in the way they did. I wasn't expecting that."

Principal Alston released a statement Tuesday saying he will strive to provide a positive learning environment for students.