Churchill Road Elem in McLean posts racial slur

[Anonymous]

OP, you're a whiner. Get involved in the school if yo have such issues, for crying out loud. I'm a top tax payer in your school and I take offense to your whining. I also take offense that you expect our administration to cater to your whining. Shut up and get involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP, you're a whiner. Get involved in the school if yo have such issues, for crying out loud. I'm a top tax payer in your school and I take offense to your whining. I also take offense that you expect our administration to cater to your whining. Shut up and get involved.

Maybe some people don't get involved because of comments like yours. The fact is that more of us need to be a little more racially sensative and may not know that we're not until someone brings it to our attention.

[Anonymous]

It is racist, and anyone's protestations to the contrary is ignorant. A PP is equating wearing traditional Chinese clothing to drawing on Fu Manchu mustaches? One is educating yourself about the culture and history of a people. The other is making fun of a group of people and negatively stereotyping them based on the way Chinese (and Chinese Americans) were viewed in this country.

It is absolutely the same as black face. But I agree that this wasn't an intentional racist slur. It does, however, illustrate the continued insensitivity of educated people towards certain racial groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is racist, and anyone's protestations to the contrary is ignorant. A PP is equating wearing traditional Chinese clothing to drawing on Fu Manchu mustaches? One is educating yourself about the culture and history of a people. The other is making fun of a group of people and negatively stereotyping them based on the way Chinese (and Chinese Americans) were viewed in this country.

It is absolutely the same as black face. But I agree that this wasn't an intentional racist slur. It does, however, illustrate the continued insensitivity of educated people towards certain racial groups.

Disagree, but hey, it's a free country. You're entitled to your opinion, as are all of us who think it is not racist and people are getting overwrought for no real reason.

[Anonymous]

I just think OP's efforts are better spent elsewhere. I do NOT agree that the school's resources, tightened as they are, are best spent on this. I believe OP knows this; and if s/he is that bored, can find better ways to address his/her issue; but also find time to save our crowded schools, which is likely not helping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is racist, and anyone's protestations to the contrary is ignorant. A PP is equating wearing traditional Chinese clothing to drawing on Fu Manchu mustaches? One is educating yourself about the culture and history of a people. The other is making fun of a group of people and negatively stereotyping them based on the way Chinese (and Chinese Americans) were viewed in this country.

It is absolutely the same as black face. But I agree that this wasn't an intentional racist slur. It does, however, illustrate the continued insensitivity of educated people towards certain racial groups.

I'm the poster who asked why it was OK for the girls to dress up in traditional Chinese clothing and racist for the boys to have drawn-on mustaches. I wasn't "equating" the two - I was asking a question, and I resent being called ignorant or insensitive because I don't happen to know everything that offends every minority group. I'm sure the Asian parents aren't the only ones at Churchill Road who might find some things offensive.

Having read the posts, I can see why some Asian parents might be offended. On the other hand, I'd hope they wouldn't forget that the goal was to study an Asian culture. Hopefully, they'll ask the teachers to come with other ideas to get both the boys and the girls interested in the subject-matter. Boys don't necessarily want to "dress up" in "traditional clothing" of any sort.

[Anonymous]

If I did not see the article/issue/whatever it is, and am spending my time (instead) trying to fight budget cuts, then I have nothing to say about what may or may not exist in OP's mind.

Am I supposed to dream up an opinion about something that may or may not exist? Or should I spend my high priced time on something that is more likely to affect everyone? Should we shelve the budget cuts for this? Do you even know what is happening in Fairfax County right now? Do you pay taxes? Do you have kids in FCPS?

On the other hand, if you have something useful to say and do, you could find out WHO to write to, and do it.

I would say the budget takes precedence. Call me crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If I did not see the article/issue/whatever it is, and am spending my time (instead) trying to fight budget cuts, then I have nothing to say about what may or may not exist in OP's mind.

Am I supposed to dream up an opinion about something that may or may not exist? Or should I spend my high priced time on something that is more likely to affect everyone? Should we shelve the budget cuts for this? Do you even know what is happening in Fairfax County right now? Do you pay taxes? Do you have kids in FCPS?

On the other hand, if you have something useful to say and do, you could find out WHO to write to, and do it.

I would say the budget takes precedence. Call me crazy.

You are crazy. Are you the same bitch on the budget cuts thread trying to figure out if others are "top" taxpayers whatever the f that means. You seem so proud of yourself and you "high priced time." Get over yourself. Others in this county pay their fair share of the taxes but do not go around bitching about being a top taxpayer and acting as if they own everything and can tell everyone else what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But we dress our kids up like "Native Americans" by putting feathers on thier heads for Thanksgiving...

No, the worst part is having a national footbals team called the "redskins". How about we name a team "glow white skins"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Add me to the list of people who wouldn't have immediately thought that mimicking a hair style would be offensive. Hair and clothing styles vary but are cultural, not physical, characteristics. I think it's quite possible that the people involved saw this as a way for the kids to "try on" some of Chinese culture without meaning any offense.

I agree with this. First thing I thought of was how school children often put on white wigs when dressing up like colonial times. No one would ever think anything wrong with that.

Somehow, I don't think the general audience has the same connotations of a white powder wig as a fu manchu mustache. One is a product of European/American history and the other is a concoction of movie studios influenced by fears, stereotypes, etc. of that time. Capiche?

[Anonymous]

These examples of things like white powder wigs being the same as Fu Manchu mustache is unbelievable. Your ignorance is beyond belief. Go to a court of law in England and you will see white powdered wigs being worn. That is part of their judicial system. Fu Manchu mustaches are negative, racist Western portrayals of Chinese people. By painting that on, you are perpetuating that negative stereotype.

This is not an issue up for debate. You don't wear blackface and expect not to be treated like a racist. It doesn't matter if you don't think its racist or offensive. You might think the N word is offensive but it is.

[Anonymous]

It looks like the picture in the Churchill Road publication that was in the OP has been recropped. Now the boys are no longer in the picture at all.

That says more about the local schools than any Fu Manchu mustache - it's all about girls and studying non-European cultures. And they wonder why affluent White families in McLean and Great Falls send their sons to private schools if they can.

[Anonymous]

Wow, it is amazing how the anonymity of the internet really degrades the need for us to address one another with respect, despite our differing opinions! Hard to believe this is a discussion between McLean parents.

If indeed the Fu Manchu mustache is a racist portrayal of Chinese people then we should absolutely not allow our children to paint it on. However, isnt there a better way to educate the teachers, administrators and students than by passive aggressively making an issue of it on the internet? I agree with the posters who say take an hour out of your week and get involved in the children's classes. The wage-frozen, well-intentioned and over-worked teachers would be delighted to have your help.

[Anonymous]

I don't see any Fu Manchu mustaches in the newsletter posted by the OP. Did the school change it? Oh, I see, yes it was cropped.

First of all, I think many of our young folks don't have any kind of negative connotations with Fu Manchu mustaches as they are too young to be familiar with the villainous character. It was obviously not meant to be racially negative.

I find it possible that these kids, the teachers and parents involved were inspired by Chinese Emperors such as Kangxi or Shih-Huang-Ti sporting mustaches in historical Chinese paintings. Many early emperors sport mustaches (and some beards) which are somewhat similar to the Fu Manchu mustache. Even many of the Terracotta Warriors now on display at the National Geographic Museum sport mustaches. Should we edit those? The prevalence of mustaches in the art was probably the inspiration for the mustache that the Fu Manchu character had in the movie. Historically it was more a symbol of being a man of age and wisdom.

So yes, it is sad there are folks who are hurt by the images of mustaches, but we all have stuff like that happen sometimes. We try not to hurt others, but sometimes folks goof or intentions are misunderstood.

I say, if you are offended, don't just complain. Work to fix the misunderstanding. This is a wonderful time to educate on the origins and meanings of these things. Get involved.

I applaud the school for trying to help the kids to be culturally aware.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP that the "Fu Manchu" style mustache is frequently portrayed in many Asian art objects. Google "portraits of chinese emperors" and see how many of them are sporting the Fu Manchu. Also, as a huge fan of Chinese martial arts movies, countless characters sport the Fu Manchu. I think OP needs a little history lesson and some perspective - in addition to finding a better issue to get her knickers in a knot.