Condoleezza and the Watermelon (College math exam uses Rice with racial stereotype)

Email from Dr. Wayne Perryman ^ | 4/11/06 | Dr. Wayne Perryman

[JulieRNR21]

From: Rev. Wayne Perryman DoubleBro@aol.com

Dear Friends

The following sample math problem was given to students as part of their final exam at Bellevue Community College in Washington State. I was asked by black students to represent them in this matter. Some of these students attend my church.

I am asking all of you and your friends to e-mail the school at the following e-mail addresses and express your outrage:

Advising@bcc.ctc.edu, tpritcha@bcc.ctc.edu, and amatsumo@bcc.ctc.edu.

The following is the math problem given to the students.

The Problem: Condoleezza holds a watermelon just over the edge of the roof of the 300 -foot Federal Building, and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second. The height of the watermelon above the ground t seconds later is given by formula h= -16t2 + 20t + 300

a. How many seconds will it pass her (she's standing at a height of 300 feet) on the way down?

b. When will the watermelon hit ground?

If they used this same problems and substituted Condoleezza's name with Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, there would be mass protest and they would shut the college down. Because it was Condoleezza Rice, they wanted to ignore it until I showed up today.

Please e-mail the college and express your outrage and your support of having me at the table to resolve this issue. I am demanding that the college to do several things to correct the problem.

This is serious. Please do not let me down, I want thousands of e-mails to come from all across the country. A CBS affiliate, KIRO TV did cover this story.

Rev. Wayne Perryman P.O. Box 256 Mercer Island, WA 98040

[JulieRNR21]

Main Entry: stereotype Function: noun

......something conforming to a fixed or general pattern ; especially: a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude

[JulieRNR21]

FYI......PING

Need your help to take action on the above email request.

[MadeInAmerica]

You have GOT to be kidding. They seriously put this as a test question?

[gondramB]

I don't think we should jump on this one.

It is offensive to stereotype Dr Rice. It is offensive that the left will likely over look this as Dr. Rice is not their preferred example of a black American.

But I think if Dr. Rice were here she would say she has real concerns and doesn't have time to focus of the cosmetic ones and we should follow that example.

Additionally I don't think that every nuance of speech in academia should be examined for traces of racism to be stamped out... racism is gonna be there , to be sure but taking a politically correct approach to allowed speech is not the answer.

[JulieRNR21]

FYI...............PING

Need your help......Action requested regarding use of Secretary of State Rice in a math exam that uses a racial stereotype.

Please email your comments here:


Advising@bcc.ctc.edu,
tpritcha@bcc.ctc.edu,
amatsumo@bcc.ctc.edu

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Well, they didn't use a last name.

So I'm sure they will say they were referring to some other "Condoleezza".

(And if you say that you associate the name Condoleezza with a black woman they'll say that YOU are racist.)

[dead]

I guess it's meant as some kind of racial joke/insult, but it's pretty weak tea.

[lovecraft]

I'd have them change the question, but change the watermelon to a terrorist and I think the question works just fine.

And I'd personally pay good money to see Condi throw Osama off a roof.

[So Cal Rocket]

If this sentence was truly on the exam, then the professor also needs to attend a remedial English class:

How many seconds will it pass her (she's standing at a height of 300 feet) on the way down?

[JulieRNR21]

If the person cited was Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or Martin Luther King.......the NAACP would be on it in a NY minute.

I believe we need to, at the very least, let this liberal college know that linking our brilliant and capable Dr. Rice with a watermelon is unacceptable!

Many black students at this college are asking for our help through Dr.Wayne Perryman and I for one will answer their call.

[Reactionary]

"Additionally I don't think that every nuance of speech in academia should be examined for traces of racism to be stamped out... racism is gonna be there , to be sure but taking a politically correct approach to allowed speech is not the answer."

Oh, no. But as with all things liberal, the great principle of anti-racism only applies to Leftists. Everyone else can be maligned and smeared at will.

[JulieRNR21]

No need for a last name as she is the only Condoleezza everybody recognizes!

[LK44-40]

But I think if Dr. Rice were here she would say she has real concerns and doesn't have time to focus of the cosmetic ones and we should follow that example. Additionally I don't think that every nuance of speech in academia should be examined for traces of racism to be stamped out... racism is gonna be there , to be sure but taking a politically correct approach to allowed speech is not the answer.

Agree that Dr. Rice has so much class that she would blow it off.

Disagree that we should blow if off. It is completely obnoxious and racist. It is not the story of the year but the jerk responsible should be seriously stung by the indignation of the citizens, i.e., us.

[JulieRNR21]

FYI...............PING

Need your help......Action requested regarding use of Secretary of State Rice in a math exam that uses a racial stereotype.

Please email your comments here:


Advising@bcc.ctc.edu,
tpritcha@bcc.ctc.edu,
amatsumo@bcc.ctc.edu

[gondramB]

"If the person cited was Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or Martin Luther King.......the NAACP would be on it in a NY minute. "

They sure would... and they are descipable hypocrites for not doing so in this case.

Nonetheless I have concerns about adopting their tactics.

[Old Professer]

There ain't no way that scrawny little colored gal could throw an average 30 pound watermelon straight in the air with a force of 92 foot pounds of force per second.

[Northern Yankee]

(And if you say that you associate the name Condoleezza with a black woman they'll say that YOU are racist.)

Are you kidding?

The only Condoleeza I know is Condi Rice.

C'mon you know this is a set up. I guess it wouldn't have been offensive if Condoleeza had thrown a canteloupe off a Federal building, but a watermelon?

Sheesh!

[gondramB]

Disclaimer: "Dispicable hypiocrites" referred Jesse Jackson and Al Sharton, not to MLK\.

[ozzymandus]

I'm just waiting for Jesse and Al to jump all over this!
(And this Sunday, I'm gonna look for Easter eggs!)

[JulieRNR21]

Disagree that we should blow if off. It is completely obnoxious and racist. It is not the story of the year but the jerk responsible should be seriously stung by the indignation of the citizens, i.e., us.

---

Exactly......I believe we must speak up and that's why I posted this request for our help.