Son was called a monkey by a Hispanic child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is never ever ever ok to call a black person a monkey. Ever.

BUT human beings are not born with the innate knowledge that you don’t call a black person a monkey. It’s something we have to be taught. And while it’s entirely reasonable to expect that every adult in this country should have learned this long ago—and it can be a given that when said by an adult it’s racist and intentionally offensive—the same cannot be said when it comes to kids.

OP has given zero real context on how this happened. All we know is that her kid was prompted to mention that it happened when he heard overheard it on NPR when they reporting on the Young Republicans. We don’t know if the boys were playing or fighting at the time. We don’t know how well they know each other. We don’t know if the boy knew he shouldn’t say it. We don’t even know if OP’s son even knew it was a racist term before hearing it on NPR.

She’s never come back to clarify of this.

Context matters. Even in this instance.

Well the kid can ponder "context" in his own mind when he is eventually told not to call black people monkeys, after his mom reports the incident. Context is not OPs or the victim kid's concern.

You have 100 percent missed my point. But it’s simply too exhausting to continue to attempt to engage with someone who is so damned rigid.

I understand what you are saying I just think you are wrong.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm so terribly sorry. Please talk to the teacher, the school needs to obviously work with the other child to explain that what they said was inappropriate and hurtful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how to say this in an inoffensive way but I’ll try . . .

It could very well be a cultural thing without any ill intent. Latinos simply do not have the same, shall we say, sensitivities when it comes to these kinds of things. They will refer to others in Spanish by references to race, weight, and other physical attributes and mean nothing of it. If your eyes are even slightly slanted, for example, your nickname will often be “Chino.” I could go on.

All I’m saying is that you really shouldn’t place much stock in what a 9 or 10 year old Salvadoran kid might say. It’s just a different way of thinking than native born Americans are accustomed to.

Yes, imported racism and colorism? Why does that fact that a Latino is being racist make it ok, just because as you say, it is part of their culture?

I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’m merely stating a fact about Latino culture from someone who knows it well. My point stands: there’s a different level of sensitivity in Latino culture when it comes to these things, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a more racist or colorist culture in the pejorative sense.

It doesn't f* matter. The OP's child should not be exposed to racism because of whatever bs Latino sensitivity. It's ALL about OP and their child feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how to say this in an inoffensive way but I’ll try . . .

It could very well be a cultural thing without any ill intent. Latinos simply do not have the same, shall we say, sensitivities when it comes to these kinds of things. They will refer to others in Spanish by references to race, weight, and other physical attributes and mean nothing of it. If your eyes are even slightly slanted, for example, your nickname will often be “Chino.” I could go on.

All I’m saying is that you really shouldn’t place much stock in what a 9 or 10 year old Salvadoran kid might say. It’s just a different way of thinking than native born Americans are accustomed to.

Yes, imported racism and colorism? Why does that fact that a Latino is being racist make it ok, just because as you say, it is part of their culture?

I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’m merely stating a fact about Latino culture from someone who knows it well. My point stands: there’s a different level of sensitivity in Latino culture when it comes to these things, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a more racist or colorist culture in the pejorative sense.

It doesn't f* matter. The OP's child should not be exposed to racism because of whatever bs Latino sensitivity. It's ALL about OP and their child feelings.

Exactly. Whatever the Hispanic child grew with or grows up around DOES NOT give him a pass to throw words around that are racist to another child. Two things can be true. There are different sensitivities in the Hispanic culture. Those same differences ARE offensive in American culture. If OP were in El Salvador then perhaps OP would have to accept the status quo. However, OP is not. The Hispanic child is here in the U.S. and said child needs to know and do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that "mono" in El Salvador is also used to refer to a mischievous kid even though the direct translation is monkey. This is specific to El Salvador as, actually, "mono" has other nickname-esque associations in other Spanish speaking countries (e.g., cute in Spain). So there is *some* chance this was an honest non-racist mistake.

It also means blondie in Colombia.

It is never ok to call a black person a monkey.

Where did I say that? Calm down Jennifer.

Ha ha ha! What a microaggresion, so timely.

FFS - telling you to calm down when you are posting the same comment to every reply regardless of context. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

OP- would appreciate an update on whether the teacher/admin was receptive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that "mono" in El Salvador is also used to refer to a mischievous kid even though the direct translation is monkey. This is specific to El Salvador as, actually, "mono" has other nickname-esque associations in other Spanish speaking countries (e.g., cute in Spain). So there is *some* chance this was an honest non-racist mistake.

It also means blondie in Colombia.

It is never ok to call a black person a monkey.

Where did I say that? Calm down Jennifer.

Ha ha ha! What a microaggresion, so timely.

FFS - telling you to calm down when you are posting the same comment to every reply regardless of context. Grow up.

The context doesn't matter. You really think that there are some who are just so emotional and immature that they just can't grasp your wisdom, so you need to scold them to "calm down" and "grow up"! No, your point is clear, you are just incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read this whole thread. Just wanted to ask: so it is NEVER ok to call a black kid a monkey? Intent does not matter at all??

Does that not seem silly to you? I mean, if a 3 year old sees a black kid hanging off the monkey bars and calls him a monkey, that is racist, even though said 3 year old would have called anyone in that context a monkey and clearly meant it in a cute/endearing way?

Yep, it is never ok.

And we know that kids or people in general do not go around calling each other monkey in the U.S., it is just not done, and yes all you moms are not calling your kids monkey.

What?!? I’m white and call my white kids monkeys all the time. Monkey is a super common term for a kid. “Stop monkeying around” is a popular phrase even. Do black parents just not use that phrase?

And if you aren’t using common animals like monkeys you’re letting the racists win. I’ll say the elephant into the room- black people don’t look like monkeys.

As someone who is multilingual and from an immigrant family I promise this is also international. Every language I have ever heard anyone parent in, they call their kids monkeys. Very confused by whoever is trying to deny the obvious.

It's also very international and multilingual to use monkey as a slur for black people. Very confused why you're trying to deny the obvious.

Nah, I’m not going to change because you want me to walk on eggshells. I love my cute little monkeys! I will continue to call them that. Go be offended somewhere else.

Ah, and I call my youngest one “my little chicken” - is that sexist because some people refer to women and chicks? No. It’s not. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how to say this in an inoffensive way but I’ll try . . .

It could very well be a cultural thing without any ill intent. Latinos simply do not have the same, shall we say, sensitivities when it comes to these kinds of things. They will refer to others in Spanish by references to race, weight, and other physical attributes and mean nothing of it. If your eyes are even slightly slanted, for example, your nickname will often be “Chino.” I could go on.

All I’m saying is that you really shouldn’t place much stock in what a 9 or 10 year old Salvadoran kid might say. It’s just a different way of thinking than native born Americans are accustomed to.

Yes, imported racism and colorism? Why does that fact that a Latino is being racist make it ok, just because as you say, it is part of their culture?

I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’m merely stating a fact about Latino culture from someone who knows it well. My point stands: there’s a different level of sensitivity in Latino culture when it comes to these things, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a more racist or colorist culture in the pejorative sense.

It doesn't f* matter. The OP's child should not be exposed to racism because of whatever bs Latino sensitivity. It's ALL about OP and their child feelings.

You’re f- cultural sensitivity and understanding - it’s al me me me me me. Amirite

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how to say this in an inoffensive way but I’ll try . . .

It could very well be a cultural thing without any ill intent. Latinos simply do not have the same, shall we say, sensitivities when it comes to these kinds of things. They will refer to others in Spanish by references to race, weight, and other physical attributes and mean nothing of it. If your eyes are even slightly slanted, for example, your nickname will often be “Chino.” I could go on.

All I’m saying is that you really shouldn’t place much stock in what a 9 or 10 year old Salvadoran kid might say. It’s just a different way of thinking than native born Americans are accustomed to.

Yes, imported racism and colorism? Why does that fact that a Latino is being racist make it ok, just because as you say, it is part of their culture?

I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’m merely stating a fact about Latino culture from someone who knows it well. My point stands: there’s a different level of sensitivity in Latino culture when it comes to these things, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a more racist or colorist culture in the pejorative sense.

It doesn't f* matter. The OP's child should not be exposed to racism because of whatever bs Latino sensitivity. It's ALL about OP and their child feelings.

Exactly. Whatever the Hispanic child grew with or grows up around DOES NOT give him a pass to throw words around that are racist to another child. Two things can be true. There are different sensitivities in the Hispanic culture. Those same differences ARE offensive in American culture. If OP were in El Salvador then perhaps OP would have to accept the status quo. However, OP is not. The Hispanic child is here in the U.S. and said child needs to know and do better.

So instead os siding with ONE child, perhaps we need to side with BOTH.

[Anonymous]

Tell his mom.

She will 100% take care of that in a smoother way that will be beneficial to both boys and those they come across in the future. I say this as a "never go through the parents!" type but this is a different matter altogether and unlike most she is less likely to be defensive/offensive by virtue of experience.

[Anonymous]

Keep the head high in the venting Maggie

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in Montgomery county, 4th grade, and the school is very diverse. He has a diverse friend group as well ( white, southeast Asian, european , and African American). He mentioned his classmate called him a monkey - I know the child - his family is from El Salvador ( we learned this in world culture day). I asked my son what he did/said. He claims he just ignored him. We are playing with playdoh at the moment, I’m currently just in listening mode.

Troll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that "mono" in El Salvador is also used to refer to a mischievous kid even though the direct translation is monkey. This is specific to El Salvador as, actually, "mono" has other nickname-esque associations in other Spanish speaking countries (e.g., cute in Spain). So there is *some* chance this was an honest non-racist mistake.

It also means blondie in Colombia.

It is never ok to call a black person a monkey.

Where did I say that? Calm down Jennifer.

Ha ha ha! What a microaggresion, so timely.

FFS - telling you to calm down when you are posting the same comment to every reply regardless of context. Grow up.

The context doesn't matter. You really think that there are some who are just so emotional and immature that they just can't grasp your wisdom, so you need to scold them to "calm down" and "grow up"! No, your point is clear, you are just incorrect.

Wow, you really need to talk to a professional or maybe go for a walk. It is a beautiful day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will say that "mono" in El Salvador is also used to refer to a mischievous kid even though the direct translation is monkey. This is specific to El Salvador as, actually, "mono" has other nickname-esque associations in other Spanish speaking countries (e.g., cute in Spain). So there is *some* chance this was an honest non-racist mistake.

It also means blondie in Colombia.

It is never ok to call a black person a monkey.

Where did I say that? Calm down Jennifer.

Ha ha ha! What a microaggresion, so timely.

FFS - telling you to calm down when you are posting the same comment to every reply regardless of context. Grow up.

The context doesn't matter. You really think that there are some who are just so emotional and immature that they just can't grasp your wisdom, so you need to scold them to "calm down" and "grow up"! No, your point is clear, you are just incorrect.

Wow, you really need to talk to a professional or maybe go for a walk. It is a beautiful day.

So people who don't agree with you:
1) are the opposite of calm
2) immature
3) mentally ill
4) deprived of nature

Let's see what you add to the list in your response to this.