Members of The Budget staff were — like other Lawrence High School students — offended when we saw our football field vandalized with racist and offensive messages.

We want to make it clear that we do not blame Free State. This was likely a small group of students. Our rivalry isn’t defined by the actions of a few. Our rivalry is defined by sportsmanship on the field or those occasions when we go out of the way to help each other.

Yet, The Budget staff has collectively decided it is necessary to post photos of the vandalism. Many of these photos are provocative.

In our publication, we strive to report everything. In particular, one image shows the N-word written on our field.

Too often, the N-word is used carelessly. It has too much history behind it to use it casually — whether it’s written on a football field in shaving cream or said in the hallways. It has no place in the school setting, and we hope these pictures can serve as a reminder that our rivalry should remain civil, not crude.

The football game kicks off at 7 p.m. tomorrow night. Let’s bring class to the event.