Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

2 8th-graders suspended for telling a racist joke
The Worcester (MA) Telegram and Gazette (owned by New York Times) ^ | 6/1/02 | Reia

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


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 next last
To: grania
Why should they have to do anything? The parents should of went to the school board and slapped 6 inches of law across their face. Oh wait, I'm black make that 8 inches. No, I'm Asian make that 5.
21 posted on 06/01/2002 8:37:15 AM PDT by THROW?
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Boxsford
JUST what *I thought. "They can't stand by. They can't laugh." Like the Red Guard Block Committee. Tianemen Square. Bolsheviks. They must rise up against these offenders themselves and stamp out the offenders to the Peoples revolution! They must report them to the AUTHORITIES! Perhaps they must put them on trial, on a PEOPLES trial, find them guilty and punish them appropriately themselves! Perhaps marking them with the scarlet letter!
22 posted on 06/01/2002 8:37:19 AM PDT by gg188
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: calvin sun
I just emailed the staff with my comments above.
23 posted on 06/01/2002 8:37:21 AM PDT by calvin sun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
Hate-speech = thought crime.

What is the e-maill address to this school so I can send them some nice jokes?

24 posted on 06/01/2002 8:38:31 AM PDT by PatrioticAmerican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gg188
lol! have you had your morning coffee yet?
25 posted on 06/01/2002 8:42:04 AM PDT by Boxsford
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
“They can't stand by and laugh at those kinds of things, think those kinds of things..."

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!!!

26 posted on 06/01/2002 8:44:24 AM PDT by Principled
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #27 Removed by Moderator

To: Let's Roll
Is there anything more useless than government employees?

You bet, armed government employees!

28 posted on 06/01/2002 8:47:04 AM PDT by TightSqueeze
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Malacoda
Mal....

Did you hear the one about, the white honky WASP that....

29 posted on 06/01/2002 8:47:48 AM PDT by cynicom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
I suggest we now make all our non PC conforming jokes into ones about the education bureaucracy. I personally prefer they all be turned on Texas Aggies, but educrats will do almost as well.
30 posted on 06/01/2002 8:48:22 AM PDT by HoustonCurmudgeon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
These kids get to learn early that "Everyone's a Critic!" Think of how outrageous this truly is. On so many levels this is so counter to everything America stands for, but yet, we just let it happen. Day after day.
31 posted on 06/01/2002 8:50:14 AM PDT by Hildy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HoustonCurmudgeon
Aggies

or would that be Agro-Americans?

32 posted on 06/01/2002 8:50:48 AM PDT by glock rocks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
What's the difference between a white man and a trampoline?

You have to take off your shoes to jump on a trampoline!

No that wasn't it.

33 posted on 06/01/2002 8:54:07 AM PDT by Salman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
Superintendent of Schools Anthony J. Bent said that the incident was an example of how adolescents sometimes show bad judgement.

LOL Like it doesn't show bad judgment on the part of the school administration. First Amendment be damned!

34 posted on 06/01/2002 8:54:12 AM PDT by StACase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: linn37
Ok, so there was an American Indian, a Muslim, and a Cowboy sitting around talking.
The Indian said, "we were many now we are few".
The Muslim said, "We were few, now we are many".

The Cowboy chimed in and said, "That's because we haven't played Cowboys and Muslims yet."
35 posted on 06/01/2002 8:54:15 AM PDT by phalynx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: calvin sun
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.

36 posted on 06/01/2002 8:59:34 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
According to Aristotle, in his "Poetics," the essence of comedy is in the ugly.

Slipping on a banana peel, pie in the face, Polish jokes -- hilarious, but ugly.

37 posted on 06/01/2002 9:10:58 AM PDT by thinktwice
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pabianice
Whatever happened to taking a kid aside and saying "That was an unkind joke. Don't do it again." Or something along those lines? I hate PC crap.
38 posted on 06/01/2002 9:20:35 AM PDT by Politicalmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #39 Removed by Moderator

To: pabianice
"Respect is our cornerstone." Wonder if the recipient of the supposed respect is not worthy of respect?
40 posted on 06/01/2002 9:26:00 AM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson