Teacher who called boy 'monkey' appeals dismissal

Associated Press ^ | Oct. 16, 2003, | Associated Press

[TexasCajun]

..found more Monkey-Business.

Talk-Radio Host Suspended After Referring to Black Mayor as 'Monkey'

FoxNews ^ | 09/23/03 | Staff Writer

Posted on 09/23/2003 7:53 AM PDT by Skylight

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A radio talk-show host was suspended for two days Monday for alluding to Rochester's black mayor as a monkey.

Bob Lonsberry (search) apologized to Mayor William Johnson Jr. (search) in taped remarks at the beginning and end of his three-hour show on WHAM radio, which was handled by a stand-in host Monday.

"I would certainly apologize for any interpretation of my words which would appear to be racist," and Lonsberry, who is white. "I am not a racist. But then racism is in the eye of the beholder, not in the heart of the speaker."

Lonsberry, a Republican, has been highly critical in recent months of Johnson, a Democrat who is running for Monroe County executive — the region's top political post — in the November election.

Last Thursday, as monkey sounds played in the background, Lonsberry joked about "monkeys loose up at the zoo again," the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

"That's really fine, really fine," he said. "Yeah, yeah, and he's running for county executive. What is with that?"

He made a similar reference last month after an orangutan escaped from its cage at a city zoo.

"Headline: Orangutan escapes at zoo, runs for county executive. Fascinating stuff," he said.

Johnson was elected Rochester's first black mayor in 1993. While Lonsberry did not mention Johnson by name, the mayor told the newspaper that he believes Lonsberry "should know better."

Steve Minarik, the county Republican Party chairman, said Lonsberry's commentary was "beneath the standards of public discourse" and questioned whether the suspension was severe enough.

The station did not say whether Lonsberry will be paid during the suspension or when he will return.

Last year, Mayor Johnson was also the target of remarks by the current Republican county executive, Jack Doyle (search), deemed racially insensitive by political rivals. Johnson announced his candidacy after Doyle said he would not seek re-election this year. Doyle, who is white, has said the controversy had no bearing on his decision.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I've come to the conclusion that we should all just keep our mouths shut and never talk at all so we won't offend someone.

Now you are with the program. Sheep who talk back aren't easily herded.

[TexasCajun]

This was a commonly used expression years ago,any kid that was frisky and spunky was called "a little monkey". Race had nothing to do with it.

Exactly! My parents, Aunts & Uncles always called us kids a bunch of wild monkeys.

[mtbopfuyn]

According to modern genetic theory, the teacher was about 95% correct.

I believe you've hit on something there her attorney should consider. Of course the stomping off upset student will just file in the "wicked" comment. I do hope this teacher is well liked by the other students because they could sure make that kid's life miserable. That wasn't a racial remark and there's no call for any extra sensitivity training! Ignorant principal, school board, and kid's attorney. We're raising a generation of whinies.

[nycgal]

The teacher then explained to the student that "monkey" was a "term of endearment,"

Didn't Cary Grant call Joan Fontaine "Monkey Face" in a Hitchcock thriller?( I forget the title of the film). It was said as a term of endearment.

Also, my high school and elementary teachers always called the girls chewing gum in class "cows". None of us ever sued and our feelings weren't hurt.

[MamaB]

Yeah, I use to call our girls monkeys when I caught them climbing on things they should not have been on. One still calls me a monkey when I go on a banana binge! I have always loved bananas.

[Legerdemain]

I wonder if this school teaches evolution..I am sure it does.....hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe we ought to ban the theory of evolution....seems it is racist......doh,

[Evil Inc]

Recently my Grad school PC daughter was assigned a sensitivity/diversity issue to study and comment on. It was why do black students tens to sit together in the cafeteria, excluding whites. The interesting part was my very PC wife saying to the welp "Dont you really feel you cant say what you really think without getting browbeaten for it?" Not a clue as to how right she is, or why. Or why that politically forced intellectual dishonesty perpetuates the seclusion.

[Mustang]

I guess the teacher should have called her student a Neanderthal. After all, they were more "white like" and therefore, it wouldn't be a racist statement. Yeah, right!

(Glad to be one among the sidelines watching the nitwits scurrying down the rabbit hole)....Go ask Alice...I think :)

Mustang sends from "Malpaso News"

[Dutchgirl]

'You wicked little monkey,...

monkey" was a "term of endearment,"

Apparently "Dawg" is the only acceptable term of endearment in public school...whereas, in my homeschool, I can say, "Hey, Monkey Boy! Take out the trash!" and he does...

[Bubba_Leroy]

Longview Superintendent Dana Marable has said the comment "was a disparaging remark made to a student."

She was the superintendent of the school district where the 4th graders were caught performing oral sex on each other in class. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/653878/posts

[Mustang]

BTW, have school yard monkey-bars been banned?

[MistrX]

If she was a Democrat Senator she could have called him a n!gger with impunity.

[TexasCajun]

If she was a Democrat Senator she could have called him a n!gger with impunity.

Especially if it was an old white democrat with the initials, Robert KKK Byrd!

[ladyinred]

Wow, I don't know how many times I have called kids little Monkey's referring to their playfulness and antics. This PC sensitive crap has gone too far, and we need to put an end to it.

[techwench]

the talk show host, bob lonsberry, was fired a few days later. meanwhile, the good mayor's run for county executive continues. he is promising to raise taxes, while his republican opponent, maggie brooks, former news reporter, is promising to keep taxes at bay. the city of rochester is a total mess; i hope mayor bill loses and also loses his mayoral position.

[elfman2]

Speech fascists… They want this teacher jailed, and then they want to fine me $5000 if I call to sell you something without first checking the Do Not Call List. (I’m not trespassing, I’m not on your phone, Im on mine, you knew anyone could call when you signed up with bell just like you knew any commercial might appear when you turned on FOX new, buy an answering machine, it’s your problem, or prepare for this to be a precedent for more Federal regulation of communications.)

[latrans]

The article never states whether the child was black.
I think I herd the kids name was Chimpanzee Jones.

[pke]

I call my son "a little monkey" all of the time. I hope he doesn't grow up to be a lawyer and sue me! Oh wait, if he were to become a lawyer I would be calling him "little jackass". I'm safe.

[thegreatbeast]

Right. I called a girlfriend's young, toe-haired daughter Little Monkey. It was my preferred term of endearment for her. It doesn't sound like it was used as a term of endearment in this instance but was meant to pont out mindless or chaotic behavior. Truth be told, I have considered it as being off the table for usage with blacks even in innocence.