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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...

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
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To: Principled
Political correctness has now reached its goal of approving thought. If you think an inappropriate thought, you will be punished.

26 posted on 6/1/02 9:44 AM Mountain by Principled

Comment #27 Removed by Moderator

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

-archy-/-

41 posted on 06/01/2002 9:28:18 AM PDT by archy
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To: pabianice
Of course, bear in mind that it is the People's Republic of Taxachusetts that also has classes in "fisting" for teenage inmates of the government indoctrination system there.

"Two government indoctrination administrators were walking down the street together with their bullwhips holstered when....."

42 posted on 06/01/2002 9:39:38 AM PDT by BlackElk
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To: one_particular_harbour; cynicom; Paul Atreides
Har. Seriously. WASPS are completely on-topic -- mock away. If you can prove you're from a "protected class..."

What do you say to a MA schoolboard member who walks in with a beautiful woman on his/her arm?

"Nice tattoo."

43 posted on 06/01/2002 9:52:30 AM PDT by Malacoda
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To: all
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.

44 posted on 06/01/2002 11:27:09 AM PDT by screed
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To: Malacoda
I grew up watching Alan King, Don Rickles, Sammy Davis Jr. (He could do black and Jew jokes) etc. and how about Richard Prior he was very funny before he started smoking cocaine.

But these comedians told ALL sorts of jokes, that is the point; each group and sub-group ad-infinitum has something that someone finds funny/odd/eccentric and makes some schtick around it. All groups were fair game and that made it okay.It is called Humor and Satire and if we are lucky there will also be Wit and perhaps we will learn through laughter how petty it all is, and maybe we will just laugh.

Then the love generation found it wrong to be mean to the vulnerable, and the almost vulnerable, etc.

The worst 6 words in English : There ought to be a Law!!!

45 posted on 06/01/2002 12:16:14 PM PDT by Judai
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To: linn37
What do you call an Irishman that spends the night in the garden?

Paddy O'Furniture!

46 posted on 06/01/2002 12:18:19 PM PDT by Judai
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To: pabianice
Sounds to me like the principal is ready to be promoted to the Superintendent
47 posted on 06/01/2002 12:24:51 PM PDT by paul51
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To: archy
Comment #27 Removed by Moderator

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

Two FR moderators walk past a bar...

Hey, it could happen!

48 posted on 06/01/2002 5:46:10 PM PDT by lowbridge
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To: Judai
Then the love generation found it wrong to be mean to the vulnerable, and the almost vulnerable, etc.

the only vulnerable are those who truly can NOT speak for themselves, ex. the mentally retarded, elderly who are senile(& fragile), children, but a race does not qualify.

49 posted on 06/01/2002 6:06:31 PM PDT by tickles
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To: pabianice
So, another student came forward with more information. That little snitch's mother should smack him up the side of the head. I like it when they say a student can't THINK something is funny. It's unfortunate that home schooling is so difficult in Massachusetts. I bet a lot of people would like to get out of Massachusetts' public schools.
50 posted on 06/01/2002 6:08:08 PM PDT by ladylib
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To: pabianice
she said. “They can't stand by and laugh at those kinds of things, think those kinds of things are funny..."

So now it's the government's job to decide for us what's funny and what isnt?

This is thought police. 1984 was only a few years off.

51 posted on 06/17/2002 3:29:42 PM PDT by Godel
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To: pabianice
Yesterday morning, a student -- who was not one of those suspended -- came forward with more information, said Ms. Moon.

Ah, what a good little comrade. Gotta turn 'em into informants young, I say.

52 posted on 06/17/2002 3:34:05 PM PDT by southern rock
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