Okay....my child's teacher handed out this article in his ART class which is full of 12 and 13 year olds! Its an old ass article, no explanation was given, no purpose given, no conversations with the students. (here is a link to the full article: http://abcnews.go.com/202...266&page=1

Here is a quote from the article which just set my damn hair on fire
"A distinctively black name tells us that a person typically comes from a neighborhood that has higher poverty, lower income, more likely to have teen mothers, etc."

It is important to note that at no point does the article condemn this practice of discriminating, but instead specifically warns against selecting such names.

Are these teachers friggin crazy? WTF!!!!! I am meeting with him in a few hours and I want to bite his damn head off.

yes the teachers are crazy b/c in the face of pop culture and celebrity, names aren't what they used to be and nobody cares that much anymore save for old farts stuck in the 60s.

And wtf? More likely to have teen mothers? I had a teacher named Swan who was born to old parents so he said. Yep....HE!!!! A white man named Swan.

I am sooooo sick of this nonsense. I have to admit, I never had more fun making a teacher sweat. I spoke nice as pie and hammered some hard ass questions as if he was being deposed.

I didn't have time to tell you guys earlier that I had already filed a complaint with the principal of the school (I had at the same time requested this conference.) The school supposedly didn't identify the person complaining but it's obvious...she is the only African American in that class and she offered up some respectful protest the moment this racist article was distributed. The principal didn't get back to me fast enough so now its with the school board. Since filing that complaint with the principal, this asshole has been retaliating against my 12 year old--even lowering her grade an entire letter for not writing her name on a single art project (mind you...this project only required one piece...she did 4).

I smiled all nicey nice and let him talk, and he clearly thought my calm demeanor meant that I was stupid. Then I made sure he over clarified shit that he had said and before you know it, with my pleasant smile I had him backed into a corner based on his own statements. He was stuttering. That azz even made reference to me "punching in" at work. He kept changing his story as to why he messed with her grade. Now I'm gonna straight up sue that prick for discrimination against my minor child. See if he likes our ethnic names after he is done writing out a nice fat check for punitive damanges. Poor stupid bastard. I'm gonna rip him a new one. He has nooooo idea what I do for a living.....or how much I dislike people who mess with children

Was there any explanation given to you as to why the art teacher would use such an article in class? You said there was no explanation given but did they explain it after your talk with the principal? Has this teacher ever made any racist comments in class?
What was that line about you punching in at work all about? That´s a very insensitive and stupid remark.Did he apologize for that?



One a more funny note...after reading this,I´m really curious about three things.....your job, your daughter´s name and the future relationship between your daughter and her art teacher.

Was there any explanation given to you as to why the art teacher would use such an article in class? You said there was no explanation given but did they explain it after your talk with the principal? Has this teacher ever made any racist comments in class?
What was that line about you punching in at work all about? That´s a very insensitive and stupid remark.Did he apologize for that?



One a more funny note...after reading this,I´m really curious about three things.....your job, your daughter´s name and the future relationship between your daughter and her art teacher.

The principal was clearly shocked about the article, and the school board has confirmed that the inclusion of this is far beyond any acceptable boundaries of the curriculum.

The teacher was completely flustered by my overly pleasant matter of fact deameanor. As he was picking at one of her submitted pieces, he made reference to the idea that I could not afford glue. Although she had stood before the class and gave an oral presentation on all 4 of her pieces (she was only required to do 1) he had the gall to tell me that he didn't know to whom the pieces belonged among other tall tales. He then said "well...its like when you punch in for work." I told him I dont punch in, he seemed annoyed and said "well when you have to sign in" and I sweetly told him that my salary didn't mandate such actions. (he was insinuating that I must be on the low end of the income spectrum).

My daughter has a very popular Hebrew first name, and An african middle name.

and for work...I am a civil rights professional, specializing in discrimination in employment and education. So basically, he is completely fucked.

Sell out to what? Having a name that isn't ridiculous?

Was there any explanation given to you as to why the art teacher would use such an article in class? You said there was no explanation given but did they explain it after your talk with the principal? Has this teacher ever made any racist comments in class?
What was that line about you punching in at work all about? That´s a very insensitive and stupid remark.Did he apologize for that?



One a more funny note...after reading this,I´m really curious about three things.....your job, your daughter´s name and the future relationship between your daughter and her art teacher.

Ridiculous to who? You?

People make too big a deal over names. That's what's ridiculous.

The principal was clearly shocked about the article, and the school board has confirmed that the inclusion of this is far beyond any acceptable boundaries of the curriculum.

The teacher was completely flustered by my overly pleasant matter of fact deameanor. As he was picking at one of her submitted pieces, he made reference to the idea that I could not afford glue. Although she had stood before the class and gave an oral presentation on all 4 of her pieces (she was only required to do 1) he had the gall to tell me that he didn't know to whom the pieces belonged among other tall tales. He then said "well...its like when you punch in for work." I told him I dont punch in, he seemed annoyed and said "well when you have to sign in" and I sweetly told him that my salary didn't mandate such actions. (he was insinuating that I must be on the low end of the income spectrum).

My daughter has a very popular Hebrew first name, and An african middle name.

and for work...I am a civil rights professional, specializing in discrimination in employment and education. So basically, he is completely fucked.

Was there any explanation given to you as to why the art teacher would use such an article in class? You said there was no explanation given but did they explain it after your talk with the principal? Has this teacher ever made any racist comments in class?
What was that line about you punching in at work all about? That´s a very insensitive and stupid remark.Did he apologize for that?



One a more funny note...after reading this,I´m really curious about three things.....your job, your daughter´s name and the future relationship between your daughter and her art teacher.

In real estate/housing too, I hope.
[Edited 11/19/09 10:46am]

Yes...housing as well, I cannot believe I left that out. I myself got redlined in the 80's and had a hell of a time finding a realtor who would show me EVERYTHING on the market.

there is rasism in all races including ur own

Who said there wasn't??? Doesn't mean we can't talk about the shit when it happens. However, this particular nonsense is almost always directed at black folks from non-blacks.
[Edited 11/20/09 12:15pm]

It's a trip how many realtors and landlords get away with discriminating against minority renters and buyers.

One of the most damaging things a school official ever told me as a child was that I could never go to college---and because I didn't have much, I believed her. I also used to believe other comments I heard as a child that were detrimental to other races. Once that seed is planted, killing the roots after they grow can only be done if a person wants to change their way of thinking.

Girl, please, you shoulda known not to let one stupid teacher run your life and just moved ON! That's the ONLY logical response to racism.
[Edited 11/20/09 12:33pm]

But yet its ok for you to speak UR point of view as well? And UR responce was my point to my answer which you appearently missed and just got done explaining to you (scroll up please)

YOU are the one getting ur panties in a bunch when you try and give me a third degree about my OPINION only just as you stated urs as well. But yet in a sort of way personally attacked me with ur responce.

I'm a parent myself btw and teach my daughter to accept all even the bad and see both sides of things not just one. I didn't know this thread was for a certain race which you have made it clear in your reponce to me.
So step off ur high horse for a few seconds and re read my original responce slowly cause what ur last responce to me was why am I in this thread here is ur answer and read this slowly:

I gave my opinion ONLY not to attack anyone.

Settle down

Girl, please.