Parents Sue School Over Teacher's Remarks

The State (SC) ^ | 11/18/02 | Chuck Crumbo

[multitaskmom]

Aha! I was wondering when someone would pull that out of the hat...perhaps the boy's parents found the use of the word negroid denigrating to their special little boy.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Arnold Schwartzeneggar certainly better change his name to Arnold Schwartze before travelling to Aiken.

[jocon307]

Yup, leave it to the left to get all bent out of shape over normal, useful words and ignore the one truly insulting one. This is the reason the left is so dangerous, they are stupid and destructive. I always strive to avoid using "black" as a negative adjective, I've been doing that for years. I do it out of my general respect for black people, too bad those on the left don't have any respect for anybody. They just want to impose their will on us all, no matter how bad that makes things.

[LadyBir34]

I have been very surprised by the ideas expressed here. From what I read, it seems the issue was not just the use of a word, but the treatment of the child since. This "teacher" is the one stealing! She's stealing from the community by mistreating children based on her value system and setting a horrible example for every student she comes into contact with. I sounds as if she's the worst kind of racist the kind that hide from the real world by teaching in a school. If the school decides not to fire her, they should be sued. They should have to pay until it is no longer cost effective to keep a person that violates the civil rights of others. This is not to say there aren't good teachers. There are great teachers. THIS is not a great teacher!

[LadyBir34]

A rapper does not have one on one face time with your child on a daily basis. A rapper does not set the social tone of the classroom. You can live your whole life and never once leave your child in the guardianship of a rapper. If people can't tell the difference between a child's teacher and a rapper, they have no business posting. They should pick up a book!

[Virginia-American]

[mistaking "niggardly" for something else]

Wasn't Florida. I'm sorry to say it was my home state of NC.

Happened in the DC gov't as well. (The Mayor eventually reinstated the guy)

[peggybac]

This is so ridiculous. The only reason the kid's grades fell was probably because his parents wouldn't let this thing go. If his folks had not made a big deal of something so irrelevant, he'd be fine. I'm sure the embarrassment his parents created was another major point.

[Virginia-American]

As I recall, it was a political appointee (in Wash., DC?)

You recall correctly. DC city gov't

[Naptowne]

I don't think these people should sue, but I don't see why a teacher was singling about the race of particular students if that is what occurred. Niggardly has nothing to do with race, so I think the comparison is a stretch. I've been under the impression that negroid is a derogatory term. False allegations of racism or racial insensitivity get thrown out there so often that it is difficult not to react negatively toward them, but I think the parents have a point in the sense that this comment seems to be offensive. However, they are making themselves look foolish by suing, and are doing more damage to their son than if they had just complained or pulled him out of the school.

[Nik Naym]

I thought this sounded familiar.

The kid is probably 18 or so by now.

The lawsuit has either been settled or went away.

The teacher has probably moved on as well.

This thread is from 2002.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I have no idea why you are dredging up a 1992 article but since you did I scanned it and the nearest I can tell the people are suing because the word "Negroid" was used.

Evidently unfamiliar words of more than one syllable confuse and offend you.

In other words, you have a very niggardly intellectual capacity.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL, no rappers don't influence children at all. Tell that to the single black mothers whose children are heavily influenced by what is foisted off on their children as cool.

My daughter's peers were so heavily influenced by the MTV Rap culture that without realizing it, they started wearing makeup that was designed for Blacks. They styled their hair like Blacks and wore clothing that resembled the clothing the black rappers wore.

We didn't let our kids watch MTV. Our kids still wound up wanting to be like their peers. What kid doesn't?

I'm talking about a middle class white and hispanic school.

You really need to get out more.

[SlowBoat407]

"I was shocked because it's such an archaic term," Criswell said.

...I will one day be shocked (shocked!) by the use of an archaic term.

[LadyBir34]

While I did not intend to underestimate rap music's influence over children, I am still convinced that a teacher is a very different thing. Most people must send their children to public school. It's an economical fact. So, the majority of children are face to face with a teacher every day. Do I believe rap music can influence a child? Of course. Do I believe that dealing with a racist teacher (and possibly school) for a whole school year has more impact on a child? Yes. Are you telling me that a child (any child) could deal with a teacher with these attitudes and NOT come out harmed by it? Do you have children? Negative rap music is out there, but it's not in every home with children. The majority of children are with a teacher 8 hours a day during the school year.
Also, we are not discussing one misspoken word, but the overall treatment of the child in addition to it.

[LadyBir34]

It seems the time limit for discussions with racists was not properly explained to me. This board is under many new eyes, 1992 or not.