Posted on 06/01/2002 8:06:32 AM PDT by pabianice
SHREWSBURY (MA)-- Two Shrewsbury eighth-graders were suspended for two days yesterday for making a racist joke.
Shrewsbury Middle School Principal Maryjo Moon said she suspended the boys yesterday morning after investigating an incident that came to her attention Wednesday afternoon. She spoke with both pupils' parents, who she said were apologetic, and met with eighth-graders at the school to discuss the incident, she said.
“The motto for the Shrewsbury Middle School is 'Respect is our cornerstone,' ” she said. “They can't stand by and laugh at those kinds of things, think those kinds of things are funny... They shouldn't be bystanders... because that is not what we are about.”
She met with the eighth-graders during morning meeting, a Shrewsbury school tradition in which pupils, teachers and administrators can discuss issues. The meetings are part of the district's efforts to build a respectful community.
A teacher, who had heard about the joke being told in school, brought the matter to the attention of an assistant principal Wednesday afternoon, and a parent called Ms. Moon about the joke that afternoon. Yesterday morning, a student -- who was not one of those suspended -- came forward with more information, said Ms. Moon.
Ms. Moon said that racist incidents are rare but that she has suspended pupils in past years because of racial slurs. “It's not tolerated, period,” said Ms. Moon.
She said racist incidents did not surface as a major issue on a districtwide diversity survey. The three top diversity issues, according to the survey, were gender, socioeconomic status and special education, she said.
Superintendent of Schools Anthony J. Bent said that the incident was an example of how adolescents sometimes show bad judgment.
“Adolescent children, middle school-aged children, are developing young people, and they sometimes make bad judgments, so it may be an inappropriate racial joke one day, but in another day, it might be some other kind of thing, be it pushing another child or something like this,” he said. “In this particular case, a racial joke really cuts at our value system.”
He said that the district appreciates diversity and tries to instill that value in staff through professional development...
see link for complete article
What is the e-maill address to this school so I can send them some nice jokes?
There it is. Political correctness has now reached its goal of approving thought. If you think an inappropriate thought, you will be punished.
That's been the goal of the left. Now they'll be working harder on defining what is and isn't appropriate. EG talk radio is innappropriate, defending the 2nd amendment is innappropriate, etc...
The pendulum must swing back!!!
You bet, armed government employees!
Did you hear the one about, the white honky WASP that....
or would that be Agro-Americans?
You have to take off your shoes to jump on a trampoline!
No that wasn't it.
LOL Like it doesn't show bad judgment on the part of the school administration. First Amendment be damned!
Great catch. Well done.
Slipping on a banana peel, pie in the face, Polish jokes -- hilarious, but ugly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.