Teacher suspended for remark

The Pinellas School Board on Tuesday approved a one-day suspension for a white teacher who referred to the hair of an African American girl as "nappy."

The board voted 5-2 in favor of the suspension and diversity training for Belcher Elementary teacher Porsha Call.

Board members Linda Lerner and Janet Clark voted against the unpaid suspension, saying they did not consider the word racially offensive. "I don't use the term nappy. I've used the word frizzy for my own hair at times," said Lerner, who agreed with a related recommendation that Call receive diversity training. "I did not realize it was an offensive word."

Board member Janet Clark agreed, saying she found a Web site called “A Nappy Hair Affair,” which seemed to celebrate the word.

"I don't know that the word is racially offensive," Clark said. "I'm not black, so I can't speak from personal experience. But it is an adjective, correct? It describes your hair."

Mary Brown, the board's only black member, said the term has been used in a negative way to describe black people.

Board member Nancy Bostock noted that the teacher signed a document agreeing to the suspension. She said the one-day suspension reflected that the remark was not as offensive as some others. The typical punishment for a racially offensive remark is three to five days, she noted.

Officials said the remark violated a district policy prohibiting employees from making "inappropriate or disparaging remarks to or about students or exposing a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement."

According to an account by the district's Office of Professional Standards, a student asked Call why another teacher was combing the hair of an African American girl. Call responded, "She is trying to do something to her nappy hair." Another teacher reported the remark to an administrator.

Call, a veteran teacher with a good employment record, told investigators she did not know the term was offensive.

The term "nappy" became the topic of a national debate in April when radio personality Don Imus used it as part of a larger statement criticizing the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Imus was fired for making a racial slur.

-THOMAS C. TOBIN

Comments

[Pat Connolly]

killah ky,
I'm curious about why you chose to resurrect this post now. It relates to an incident which happened not even last school year, but the one prior to that. When I saw your post I thought it might have something to do with the recent Panhandle teacher who went way over the line and deserves to be fired. These incidents have virtually nothing in common.

[killah ky]

Look, in all actuality there is kinda double standard on some of the words we use. If a black teacher used the word it would not be a big deal.. HOWEVER, if you paid any attention to the Imus controversy or any African American history you would know blacks have the right to be sensative on whites using words to degrade us. Would it be a big deal if i ( a black man) called a Jew a penny pincher?? An Italian a Wop or guinie?? a White a cracker??

EXACTLY this is the world we live people. AmerIKa

[truth]

I am a black woman. My mother was killed when I was 4 yrs old and she was 20. her mother was raised in a two parent household with her 12 other siblings they struggled to put food on the table.mommy could not work because she had to watch her children daddy had to work two or more jobs so he could not be there to raise the boys to be men he could hardly feed them.his jobs did not pay much probably because he did not have a higher education.he walked miles and miles to school before he had to stop and get a job to take care of himself.Let me stop here. any one who says blacks are given equal opportunity as whites is living in a white world.opportunity with out means is just a slap in the face but I am not putting the blame on whites just the devil and all his demons working through whites and the US gov.

[truth]

I am a black woman. My mother was killed when I was 4 yrs old and she was 20. her mother was raised in a two parent household with her 12 other siblings they struggled to put food on the table.mommy could not work because she had to watch her children daddy had to work two or more jobs so he could not be there to raise the boys to be men he could hardly feed them.his jobs did not pay much probably because he did not have a higher education.he walked miles and miles to school before he had to stop and get a job to take care of himself.Let me stop here. any one who says blacks are given equal opportunity as whites is living in a white world.opportunity with out means is just a slap in the face but I am not putting the blame on whites just the devil and all his demons working through whites and the US gov.

[kay]

Everyone should work in this country, there should only be handouts for the elderly, disabled or special needs person. Since you people, all of you are harping on racism then let's discuss why so many federal, state and local governments are concerned with the meth epidemic and was not concerned with the crack epidemic in the 80? Why now is millions being granted to rehab meth addicts and not crack addicts? Go figure!!!!!

[Tired of the B.S.]

Well said Kim, if everyone though as you did there would be no predjudice or racism,unfortunatley they don't. When you read these posts you are reminded how things really are in the world and intelligent people realize wishing it away doesn't work. There are many people like you, but alas, not enough. Most are like the posters on this board and their makeup is both black and white. The first step in solving any problem is admiting one exists. Like achohlics, most people are in denial to this problem but yet are suspicious of other races none the less. Open comunication is the key, talking about the things that bother us, words that are offensive. If this was done before this incident maybe the teacher wouldn't have said nappy. It doesn't bother you, but it bothered 3 members of the school board enough to suspend a teacher.

[Kim]

I want to say something here. It may get people upset, it may not.
Why does the color of our skin make such a difference? I have black friends, I have hispanic friends I have the whitest of white, fair haired German friends. Asian, Arab, etc.. I'm what I (and my friends) refer to as a "Heinz-57". My husband has Moorish blood and on occasion, there is a beautiful baby born with a head full of that "nappy hair" and coco colored skin. These things don't bother me. Of course, I don't take skin color into account when meeting with people or making friends. People that make sweeping generalities and scream "We want equality for everyone" at their very core, are racist. Because they place too much emphasis on the color of someone's skin.
All sides tear this country down because of a seemingly sick desire to tear people down based on.. well.. baseless, mindless hatred.
Not all black people are on welfare, some that I know are because of horrible events in their life based on personal life choices. So are some of my white friends. That doesn't make them evil or not to be mingled with. No one grows up wanting to be poor and struggling to make ends meet. I'm white and barely have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.
You want to know what I find offensive? Every person that screams hatefilled race agenda rhetoric about human beings that share this world with them. No matter what color their skin might be.
I've never read in a bible anywhere that said "love your neighbor as yourself, unless they're (insert race here)"
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL
I for one prefer united.

[Cindy]

Hey Everyone,

He who is without SIN/Faults cast the first stone. I see that we have a lot of SINLESS/Faultless individuals in our fair city. God loves us all. so lets just learn from our mistakes and love one another skin color, opinions and all. May God give your soul peace in this matter.

[Tired of the B.S.]

The last five posts didn't help my theory of open and civil dialogue. With these type of attitudes we will never achieve racial harmony. You people are just as bad as those you criticise. How about some tolerance for people you don't understand. It has to start somewhere. You have the education and social status so you have no excuse for this nonsense other than pure hate. Pathetic.

[john]

Fact: Blacks sold other blacks as slaves in Africa.

Fact: Slavery was accepted world wide from the begining of time until just recently (although some forms of slavery do still exist). IT WAS NOT AN AMERICAN THING.

Fact: I did not own slaves, my father did not own slaves, his father did not own slaves and so on. Get over it.

Fact: I don't like to be around groups of blacks in public, they have different social skills. Movies are the worst.

Fact: Black hair IS NAPPY. So what's the big deal?

[jojo]

How is it blacks find almost everything offensive and whites find almost nothing offensive? Doesn't that alone tell you that the black community needs to get over it and move on?

[Ryan]

So does this mean we can't say Watermelon or Chicken anymore? Those are both common words that have negative meanings toward African Americans. I really need to know because I'm planning a BBQ and I don't want to hurt somebody's poor little feelings.

[Cory]

Wonder what would have happened if the teacher would've been black? Er, I mean, excuse me, African-American. Sorry, I apologize. I swear my ancestors never owned slaves. Forgive me, please; I didn't mean to offend anyone, I even vote Democrat! Go Obama (yeah right)!

[Joan]

Let's get rid of all the black comedians that use phrases like cracker, honkey, white MF, etc. As a white person I have never been offended by these word, but maybe I should start, after all what's fair is fair.

STOP THE PC POLICE NOW! I am sick of it!

[Tired of the B.S.]

Sarah, Discusing these issues inteligently is what these forums are all about, chosing to ignore the obvious problems that exist between races is a big part of the problem. Haven't you been reading these posts? People on both sides of the issue are having a hard time understnding where each other is coming from. Most of the white people thought nothing was wrong with nappy, most of the black people were offended, especially if uttered by a white person. Your solulution,just don't worry about race, sounds good on paper, but some open dialogue does help both races understand where the other is coming from. Your other solution, just help someone, might be insulting to a proud individual who is not looking for a hand out. Didn't you read Eddie and my conversation? We started out on different sides of the fence, then with some open and civil dialogue, we both understood each others position. The conversation ended with us wishing each other well. It certinly didn't start that way. This whole issue was a result of the teacher not understanding what was offensive to black people and could have been avoided if there was more open dialogue and less distrust between races. Chosing to ignore a problem exists just adds to the problem.

[sarah]

Arent you all tired of the back and forth blacks vs. whites comments? It was ridiculous that she got suspended, a simple "you cant say that now apologize" would have been more than enough.

Secondly why are you wasting your time talking about what race is more superior and which race is the cause of the problems in the world. LOOK AROUND PEOPLE, EVERYONE IS AT FAULT HERE. A white man saying blacks are at fault is at fault. A black man blaming the whites for acting superior is at fault. Yeah, maybe there are more black people that deal drugs and have children out of wedlock, but there are more white serial killers out there than there are blacks. For gods sake WE NEED TO START LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OURSELVES WITHOUT RACE AS AN ISSUE. If your are one of the people (emphasis on people, not a race) that has worked hard and made something of themselves, start helping others. We as people are so concerned about ourselves that we no longer know the concept of reaching out a helping hand. There are too many problems to continue looking at things in a negative way. Start asking yourself what you can do for someone else, not what you can do for yourself. And stop with the racial crap, its not getting anyone anywhere.

[Joe Commode]

Next thing you know we won't be able to say things like "watermelon" "fried chicken" "cadillac" "lazy"

[Tired of the B.S]

Eddie, The French I were talking about were the indentured servants and the lower rungs on the caste system from 250 yrs ago, they weren't N African, although that was in ugly situation in 05. I beleive students and young people of all races were involved in those riots. I remember seeing alot of white young people on TV, throwing rocks and burning cars. Regardless, I think I made my point and I certainly understand where you are coming from as you have made some very valid points of discusion. It has been a pleasure sharing these thoughts with you and wish you the best.

[Eddie B.]

I agree with everything you said......
It is up to the parents to impart on the children a value system that is forward looking.

My whole diatribe was just to point out that the injustices that we've had as black folks in america 1.) have and still are brutal 2.) is not ancient history and some would argue still goes on.

As far as the French go.....Did you forget what happened back in '05 when the French of North African descent rioted because of unequal treatment in education and hiring.

I agree we must move on. My whole point is for every me who can move on there are at least 3 who still struggle with the vestiges of slavery/Jim Crow. Is it their perception dunno but someone would argue that perception is their reality.

[Tired of the B.S.]

Eddie, your post was fine. I guess I should have elaborated further as to why I mentioned other cultures. Before the French Revolution, the caste system was alive in France, we are talking 100 yrs before USA slavery was abolished. Their culture overcame their situation without having to look back ,ask for reparations and say it was some one elses fault. Look at the Jews, 50 yrs ago the Nazis were placing them in death camps and ovens, yet the culture and the people have responded to where they are major business owners and probably controll the movie business. It is easy to say Johnny gets the breaks that Tyrone doesn't get. Maybe Johnny holds himself to a higher standard of acceptable behavior. Maybe Johnnys has a lower drop out rate and his parents wont accept less than passing grades. Say what you want about the Jewish culture, but that is how thay have advanced themselves this past 50 years. They will push themselves in school, their heros are Einstien not Kobe. Most couldn't care less about sports, their goal is to be doctors not ball players, their role models are not rap stars but scientists. I said this earlier, you can discount the jail statistics if you like, but don't be so naive as to think every black man in jail is a result of a corupt justice system, some are actually guilty. Holding yourself to a higher syandard of acceptable behavior with out blaming someone else or an event that happened 150 yrs ago is the key.

Growing up as a black child, I was called "nappy-headed" by my relatives and close friends. I suppose I would find it offensive if a stranger just walked up to me called me nappy-headed or if they added the 'n' word to it.

[Eddie B.]

Please forgive the last post I did not do a good job of proof reading.

[Eddie B.]

B.S.,
you are absolutely correct that most Americans had ancestors in europe and then they came to America.

Look at the reasons at why they came!!

They left Europe to leave their situations in Europe. Most of the European underclass came to the U.S. People that were persecuted graced our shores wasn't the elite.

And those people fell right along with the racist policies of the ruling class in America at the time.

I can't speak to what happens back when Rome ran everything but best believe that the slave and ex-slave caught hell while the citizen was given the benefit of the doubt.

I am not saying that slavery is the cause of everything but you cannot ignore the facts that it and the subsequent treatment of blacks during Jim Crow etc. has had an effect.

You pull out stats about blacks 5 times more likely to be incarcerated but does that mean that blacks are 5 time more likely to commit the crimes or 5 times more likely to actually be prosecuted.

Please don't be fooled crime is commited in both communities but the key is in the prosecution of the crimes. Does little johnny get a break by the cop. The cop takes little Johnny home and he gets his a** kicked and no prosecution.

While Tyrone gets a ticket straight to jail because whether we like it or not his life in some people's eyes isn't worth as much as Johnny's.

There stats about number of people in Jail are skewed. There are those that argue that some of those in Jail probably shouldn't be for certain crimes they have commited in the first place. Remember there is a PIC (Prison Industrial Complex).

[Bill]

The teacher who ran like a little you know what should be slapped in the face. Respect your co-worker, especially someone with a clean record, and talk to them if you were offended instead of running off like the you know what you are.

That said, until the schools punish the kids on an equal level for such things, then things like this will continue.

[Tired of the B.S.]

Eddie, you sound like a sharp guy and you have it together, when you mention slavery in connection with anything that happens today, I have to disagree. Most Americans today had anscestors who immigrated from Europe after slavery was abolished and their country did not have slavery. Furthermore many of these poeple came from cultures that were slaves themselves. When the Roman conquered most of the known free world, those who weren't killed were absorbed into their culture as slaves or soldiers. The soldiers were put on the front line to die in the next battle. During the middle ages you had nobility and everyone else. The every one else were indentured servants(slaves)and this system thrived for hundreds of years. There isn't a culture who can't trace slavery sometime during its existance. The Jews were slaves for centurys then Hitler took his turn at them and that happened a hundred years after slavery was abolished. I don't know what slavery has to do with now and why you even make it part of your argument. The rest of your argument does make sense, but you leave out the part where a black man is 5 times more likely to end up in jail as a white man. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/jailrair.htm Some have blamed the justice system and anomolys exist as the case you mentioned with Jenifer Porter. But it doesn't explain everything about that statistic as it is obvious there is some type of accountability problem. I can tell you this, it has nothing to do with slavery.

[Ed]

Nappy doesn't seem to be that offensive judging by some black web sites:

http://www.nappyhair.com/
http://www.carolivia.org/nappyhair/
http://www.nappyhairaffair.com/
http://www.nappyroots.com/
http://nappystories.com/

Or by some black authored books:

Happy to Be Nappy by bell hooks
Nappy by Carney-Nunes Charisse
Going-natural: How to Fall in Love With Nappy Hair by Mireille Liong-a-kong
Nappy Hair 101 by Ayana Hardin
Don't Worry, Be NAPPY! by Jeffery Bradley

It appears to be a case of someone looking for any trivial excuse to be offended.

[Eddie B.]

Fact:
America enslaved and disenfranchised african/african-american/Negro etc... for hundreds of years.

Fact:
Substandard housing, Education, employment after being enslaved for the majority of the african/african-american/Negro population persisted up to recent times (in fact there are still places where black folks live that do not have sewers but white folks down the street do!!)

Fact:
the systematic break up of the Nuclear family in the black community led and is leading to teenage pregnancy, high-school dropout, illiteracy, juvenile crime.

Fact:
Organizations and individuals in the 50's,60's and 70's that were trying to lift up blacks out of there predicament were infiltrated and spied on by the FBI/CIA (Cointelpro) and effectively shut down.
Some of those organizations such as the black panthers, SNCC, SCLC, NAACP, Malcolm, Martin, etc.. initiated programs that are in use today for the betterment of not just african-americans but all races (Free and reduced lunch, head-start etc..)

FACT:
Desegregation has been the bane of the black community. As soon as the black middle class was able to leave they left in droves leaving the poor behind. There was a time when all classes of blacks had no choice but to live together giving all a sense of struggle. It was nothing for a blue collar worker's son to see and play with the son of a Judge or Doctor and that professional would help uplift that little boy that rarely happens now as they're in two different social circles.

I never once said the black community was fine. I know we have faults I see them every day.

But for you not to at least acknowledge the legacy of slavery and separate but unequal treatment that has just recently (in a relative sense) stopped that surely contributes to the problems in my community is incredible.

In your minds eye blacks should just get over it.

I know of people who are still afraid.

They are older but they are still afraid. They speak to their children about what went on. It's not an old Wive's tale it's real. People see what goes on and wonder hmmm...

Why is it that blacks don't get the same breaks as white's?

Jennifer Porter got probation!!!!

A kid in Brooksville got the book thrown at him for hitting a couple because he didn't have a license and ran a stop sign..No prior record, he had a job, etc.. he got 15 years!!!!

Jennifer Porter ran away (she was afraid) and got probation.

White community condoned it and until the white community thinks their fine we will keep having problems

And you wonder why blacks have chips on their shoulders.

Watch the movie watermelon man.

Good movie.

People...The only reason that the teacher is wrong is because she was white and said it to a black.

It is irrelevant anyways,these power struggle between the whites and blacks, as the hispanic invasion will change everything in the next 6-8 years.

[Eric]

I find you are basically playing with words. And you are not really making a great case for your argument. It's not silly at all. I never said it only happened in the black community, I said it's more prevalent. It's facts. Europe and Russia are completely different than the U.S. so to try and compare the 2 is a moot point. We are talking about America. But if you feel the black community is fine, then you can keep living in your pretend world, and the life cycle will continue as it will, until something happens with the black community to change it. More black males throwing their life away going to jail more then any other race. As you stated you said it's you manly duty keeping your kids inline, But you are the minority as a black man who takes care of his kids. Wish more did. and I wish more black kids had better parents and didnt have to look up to NBA, NFL, and rappers are role models. But it is what it is, until the black community decides to change it.

[Eddie B.]

Eric,
It has always been about personal responsibility.

But that cuts both ways...In the late 80's and early 90's white men blamed blacks and affirmative action for a lack of jobs ..Now they blame globalisation and cheap imported labor from India.

So whats the difference in a black person blaming the white man to what I just described. NONE!!!

All races and cultures have issues with personal responsibility, It is not just the province of black folks.

My environment:
Hard working, college educated, family and goal oriented.

I don't know how you grew up but I didn't grow up in a hood/Projects and I am not atypical. There still is a thriving black middle class but just like everything else in America we love to play up the negative stereotype.

Unlike meth (which is almost universally known as a "white" drug) which is made in trailer parks and out in the sticks,
the drugs that are being sold in the black community and consumed some place else (just like prostitution)have been provided by nefarious members of other races and cultures.

Doesn't excuse the selling of it but we don't own boats, planes, acreage to grow it etc.. and believe it or not we don't buy the bulk of it.

It is clear that since europeans stepped foot on this continent native peoples as well as people of color have been getting the shaft.

Does some of that still go on today..you bet ya..

I cannot speak for bad parenting etc...I try to touch every young man that walks through my door who hangs out with my son. It is my responsibility as a man (not a black man but a man) to make sure that the young men that my son hangs out with understand what I expect. I am quite sure that what I am doing is not a black trait..it is a manly trait.

So to say the things that you are saying pertains primarily to the black community is absolutely ridiculous and wrong.

so basically there should be no crime (sterotyping here) in places like eastern kentucky, Ozark mountains, Blue Ridge mountains, North & South Dakota.

Places in Russia and Eastern Europe should be Drug and Crime free cause the Blacks in the USA have a monopoly on all of that.

Do you see the silliness of my argument?

[Terri]

As for the comment about Blacks being on government assistance, being drug dealers and having children out of wedlock, how ignorant can someone be?? It is not just the blacks, it is all races. Its the lack of us as a community to teach the youth different. Unfortunately it is not only the youth having kids out of wedlock it is also ADULTS.. We need to set examples... Some people are on it to "milk" the system because maybe they feel they are owed it, as there are others that really truly need the temporary assistance and when I say temporary that does not mean indefinately.. I am certainly not begruding anyone that needs assistance as thats what it is there for, but to abuse the system over and over, that is wrong. Back to the real subject at hand, if the teachers are disrespected by the students and nothing is done to punish those students, then a teacher is punished for a wrong comment, what example is the school showing the kids? Come on people, go back to the think before we speak rule. It sure would save alot of time, frustration and money in the long run.

[Frank]

Eddie, you read the story. The context of using nappy was as an adjective. "What is she doing?" "She is combing her nappy hair" There didn't seem to be malice or racial implications. Just a teacher using an adjective to describe someones hair. Two of the board members voting didn't know it was offensive in any context, nor did I. We all read the Imus fiasco, but I that it was about the h* part not the nappy part. Rev Al was recently on a campaign to eliminate the media from using h*. Someone called Beyonce roboho to describe her outfit. Some of us are confused.

[Eric]

Eddie,

I don't think anyone is painting the WHOLE community with a broad brush, but the majority. I agree there is still racism out there. trust me I deal with it anytime Im out with my wife and kids. But to honestly sit here and say that black kids don't have the same opportunities as other races as far as education or jobs go is not true. It goes back to the decisions of their parents who choose to not work or not teach them the general morals about growing up and being a contribution to society and doing whats right. Not selling drugs and doing nothing with yourself. I agree with you every race does have certain invididuals who make that race look bad, It just seems more prevalent in the black community than any other. I am not sure how you grew up, But I grew up with friends of all races and color . I don't see color, But I do see people and take people for how they act. I honestly have my own opinion as I have experienced both spectrums. There is a big problem in the black community and if you actually feel there is not, then I suggest you take off your blind folds and take a look. There needs to be a change, and it needs to start with the black males becoming good role models for their kids. All my friends growing up are all either in jail or dead beat fathers. It's not painting a picture, its my own life experiences that I reply to and share. I changed my life and grew up and decided to do whats right and be a man. Other can too, but they decide not to. Every individual has choices. You choose what you do with your life. You can't blame others for what you choose to do. It's you OWN fault. Not the WHITE mans.

[Eddie B.]

Frank,
It's not about the word being off limits it's about the context and the environment the word(s) are used in.

[Eddie B.]

Eric,
50 years ago is not a long time...

Excuses..blacks are in the same boats as any other race...We have criminals in our midst just like everyone else.
So please stop painting the community as a whole with a broad brush.

But the hardships we had to face are like none other...

Let's see...My Parents and Mother-in.Law went to Separate but unequal schools as well as the water fountain, bathrooms, etc. they both brings up the experience to teach a lesson to my children as often as they can.
My Sister-in-Law had to endure racist taunts as a child during school integration and that wasn't 50 years ago it was more like 35.

Some states still have laws on the books prohibiting inter racial dating and marriage.... still to this day!!

All things being equal a person of color is more than likely to do more time for the same crime as his white counter part.

I say all of this to say that yes some strides have been made but you just can't say that 50 years has passed and it's all good.

There are some successes but as a whole there is much more to be done.

50 years is not enough time to erase something that has went on for ~400 years before. It just doesn't work that way.

I think in another 2 - 3 generations from now then we will see a much more color blind society.

Just look and see how the kids play today compared to how you and I played.

It's changing but you cannot expect sweeping change in 50 years.

[Frank]

Eddie, it's a cruel and mean world out there. There is a reason why some parents home school. But the biggest lesson kids learn in school besides their abc's is social skills and interaction with one another. Parents have options if they don't want to expose their kids to the honesty that most kids exhibit. The kids are going to be exposed to this brutal honesty regardless of what the teacher says, during recess, lunch or after school. Some of us, including the teacher, didn't know nappy was off limits. We know now, any other word I shouldn't say?

[Frank]

Gabby, you are right when it comes to children, more sensitivity is needed. But if the teacher and student are alone and the child had dirty clothes, isn't the teachers duty to ask questions? Maybe there are other problems at the childs home besides the parent not doing laundry. Is the child being neglected? Are they being fed? abused? The fact that the child came to school with unkept hair might reveal darker problems. The comment was made to another student who asked why another teacher was combing her hair. The teacher had a perfect record and used the word as an adjective. If she said " she is combing the girls unkept hair" what is the difference in that context? She meant no malice. It just seems overblown.

[Eddie B.]

Kids, both black and white have self esteem issues and things like this does not help.

It was never said if the teacher used the term around children, but just the idea that it was said and that another child COULD'VE heard her gives pause.

Again, the nastiness that children display to one another can be quite shocking regardless of the color of their skin.

[Eric]

We are talking about today Eddie B. Not 50 years ago. What's the excuses for the black community today???

[Gabby]

The word nappy is offensive to the child,just like if the child came to school with a dirty shirt on and the teacher made a comment about the child's clothes being dirty. When it comes to children I believe anything could be considered offensive. No I don't think that she should have been suspended but I think that she should choose her words more carefully when at work.

[Frank]

Gabby, can you please tell me when the word nappy became offensive? How would using it affect the child? The other kids can look at her head themselves and see it is curly or frizzy or nappy. The fact that the teacher only got a one day suspension instead of the usual 3 to 5 says that it wasn't considered serious. Did any parent complain? Did the child complain? This was done to pacify a black board member who obviously didn't get enough of the Imus incident. Maybe she wanted to see her face on the 5:00PM news, but it is the most blantent misuse of administrative power by a school board member I have read about in a while.

[Gabby]

I have been reading the comments that have been posted on this page, and it is so sad that the focus has left the story. We are no longer focusing on the fact that a teacher refered to a students hair as nappy not thinking of how that could effect the child by other students making fun of her.Now this has moved to a whole other subject of racism. People can we please focus on the story and not put other races down. In the words of Rodney King "Can't we all just get along."

[Eddie B.]

I am a Black man with a Black daughter.

As said in previous post, the word nappy in certain context (insert Don IMUS here) can be derogatory.
If another child would've heard it they would've been relentless in their ridicule of the poor girl.

The N word amongst black youths has become common place and the use of the term has been up for debate in the black community for years.

I've been in settings when people of other races have used the term but it was accepted (insert EMINEM and J-LO).

Words are words and it depends on the company that you choose to use the words around whether or not it becomes offensive.

As far as the incarceration of Black males. You will be surprised how many Black males are in the Criminal Justice system for Non Violent crimes ( a crime is a crime). If there was some sentencing reform (i.e. no mandatory minimum) the prisons/jails would not be as crowded. Please remember there is a prison industrial complex and the people that are likely to be locked up (poor white, hispanics, and blacks)are locked up to increase corporate profits as some of these corporations that run private jails are actually traded on the stock exchange.

Contrary to popular belief Blacks do not have a monopoly on laziness or welfare. All communities own a piece.

For the Person that said that slavery ended back in 1865 and School integration started in 1963. Please explain to the good people on this board why it took so long to actually see change??

Do you honestly think that when the emancipation proclamation was signed that there was a level playing field for blacks?? Do you honestly think that after the civil rights legislation was passed that the the Federal, Local and State governments stopped being racist? or the people for that matter??

Please.....you cannot legislate behaviour!!!!

[Tired of the B.S]

Monica, You may not like generalizations, but you are using them yourself. You have generalized the justice system as being unfair because of that incident of street racing. You are puting police in a catagory because what happened to your brother and mom. Do you have more incidents? Many more or a couple? Be honest with yourself. Most people will make generalizations based on personal experiances as you have. I'm sure not every one is basing their opinion on what they see on TV, but I'm sure the people making these racial comments have their own stories to tell. It does'nt make it right or fair, but I'm sure the cops aren't as bad as you say or the justice system as corupt as you say either. You obviously are accountable for your own actions, and nothing you have written has indicated you are blaming the white man for anything. But people like "none of your business" do and there are many more like her. Black on Black crime is a serious problem, more serious than using the word nappy. It also has nothing to do with the police, the justice system or the white man.

[Eric]

@Monica ,

I find it funny that you are mixed white and black but yet you call yourself black. Seems to me you are wanting to block out the fact you are white, and choose to consider yourself black over white. It's also funny we call blacks African American, When they were born in America, and their parents were born in America, they speak english. Also the fact that alot of Blacks have white blood flowing through there veins. African's are black, Not light skinned, not a shade of brown, but very dark skinned and black. So when they try and belittle or crack jokes on white people, you are making fun of yourselves. Kinda the same way you call yourselves N***A this and that, talk to your females as B**tchs and h**s. If you wanna start with the injustices of the society, you should start with the way you show no respect to each other. Heck when you riot, you burn down your own neighborhoods. Ignorance is bliss.

And yes cops are bad, but they are cops. Not the white man.. There are white and black cops. So you can't put your blame on WHITE people for what the COPS do to you. I have been harrassed many times by cops.

[Monica]

Regardless, the teacher could have used some other way to say the child's hair was unruly. I sincerely feel she shouldn't have been suspended.
My biggest issue is generalizations from people who have no idea other than what the media shows you or what you see on the street that in no way represents the community or a people as a whole. Some not all use the N word, some not all blame others for their shortfalls, some not all live off the system...know that even if someone speaks on a person's upbringing, homelife and background that it's not always meant as an excuse but a reason - and that there are those that truly believe they can overcome those things to make something different of their lives. Not all AA's "fit the profile".

[Lou Sussler]

What an interesting discussion. Now my business partner is somewhat niggardly and definitely has nappy hair. So what I'm picking up here is that if she's white, it's okay to say that out loud but if she's black, it's offensive discrimination.

b/t/w, I pass a high school on my way home and every day I hear kids talking the "n*gger this" and "n*gger that" etc. I don't use the word because I wouldn't want anyone using equally nasty pejoratives against me but really, who is teaching them right from wrong?

(I had to put in the asterisks as there is apparently a word in this post which the system considers too offensive to print)

[whitey]

Nappy? Aren't we carrying this a little to far now? How about we start a list of offensive words, so that we are all on the same page, and don’t offend anyone or anything. I’ll start….

White (why should I be judged by the color of my skin)
Whitey
White Bread (don’t even say this out loud in the grocery store)
Honkey (even if I am using the sound emitting device installed on my car)
Cracker (ordering with soup, I don’t think so)
German American, Swedish American, Danish American (I was born in this country, I am just an American)

By the way, why should I press “1” to speak English, and why is there only one other option. I will be happy to press one as soon as there are options for every other language on this planet (that is only fair isn’t it?) By my count that is ony about 70 different options.