[calvin sun]

I agree. In fact, the story REALLY should read as follows: "...students were suspended for telling WHAT THE PRINCIPAL CONSIDERED TO BE a racist joke." When the paper calls it "racist" without this qualification, it is supporting the principal's point of view and is editorializing.

[calvin sun]

I just emailed the staff with my comments above.

[Colonel_Flagg]

When the paper calls it "racist" without this qualification, it is supporting the principal's point of view and is editorializing.

Great catch. Well done.

[screed]

Says gitmo:

They should have published the joke so people could judge for themselves.

Says calvin sun:

I agree. In fact, the story REALLY should read as follows: "...students were suspended for telling WHAT THE PRINCIPAL CONSIDERED TO BE a racist joke." When the paper calls it "racist" without this qualification, it is supporting the principal's point of view and is editorializing.

Newspapers are editorials from cover to cover. Only a small portion of it is honest enough to identify itself.

But, the real point is, publishing the joke would in fact allow people to "judge for themselves" and that concept is completely antithetical to their goals.