APS black student singled out to play cotton picking game

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Nobody said that either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the links above. I didn’t realize that cotton balls had been used like that to denigrate black folk and express hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

DP, so the game would be ok if only the white students play it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

None of those things are what happened here. Letting all the actual racists uses of things make those things inherently racist and forbidden is the problem. Nobody can say anything that doesn't somehow offend someone somehow. It's just not a sustainable way to address racism or facilitate social interactions and relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

This is so dumb. Are you genuinely not capable of distinguishing these events—where cotton is deployed specifically in reference to slavery/cotton picking with a racist intent—from a classroom game involving bobbing for cotton balls with your nose? A game being played by the entire class?

According to your logic, we need to stop using white sheets given their role in the history of harassing black Americans. We also need to do away with fire hydrants and dogs. Burn down every tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

None of those things are what happened here. Letting all the actual racists uses of things make those things inherently racist and forbidden is the problem. Nobody can say anything that doesn't somehow offend someone somehow. It's just not a sustainable way to address racism or facilitate social interactions and relationships.

YES YES YES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

This is so dumb. Are you genuinely not capable of distinguishing these events—where cotton is deployed specifically in reference to slavery/cotton picking with a racist intent—from a classroom game involving bobbing for cotton balls with your nose? A game being played by the entire class?

According to your logic, we need to stop using white sheets given their role in the history of harassing black Americans. We also need to do away with fire hydrants and dogs. Burn down every tree.

One PP said "A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled." Well, you could also say that putting a bunch of cotton balls on the yard is hardly the same as slaver laborers picking up cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled. I thought that perhaps PP didn't know that people use cotton balls in racist ways.

It is both true that it's probably best for teachers to avoid activities that involve Black kids picking up cotton and that the teacher wasn't being racist and this woman shouldn't get a dime in compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

This is so dumb. Are you genuinely not capable of distinguishing these events—where cotton is deployed specifically in reference to slavery/cotton picking with a racist intent—from a classroom game involving bobbing for cotton balls with your nose? A game being played by the entire class?

According to your logic, we need to stop using white sheets given their role in the history of harassing black Americans. We also need to do away with fire hydrants and dogs. Burn down every tree.

One PP said "A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled." Well, you could also say that putting a bunch of cotton balls on the yard is hardly the same as slaver laborers picking up cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled. I thought that perhaps PP didn't know that people use cotton balls in racist ways.

It is both true that it's probably best for teachers to avoid activities that involve Black kids picking up cotton and that the teacher wasn't being racist and this woman shouldn't get a dime in compensation.

Then I don't want any potatoes or references to "fighting Irish" or silly leprechauns in classrooms, either.
And no more green beer and drunken St P's day celebrations by people who aren't Irish and are just being stupid using what isn't even an actual Irish holiday as an excuse to get drunk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

None of those things are what happened here. Letting all the actual racists uses of things make those things inherently racist and forbidden is the problem. Nobody can say anything that doesn't somehow offend someone somehow. It's just not a sustainable way to address racism or facilitate social interactions and relationships.

+1

This is a Long-term sub following a sub plan! This game is on the approved list of games She was told she needed to play that day. She did not go into school purposely trying to find the black kid and make him stick cotton to his face. She already picked several other players for this game first and yes, picked him because no one else volunteered. Do I agree this game is probably culturally insensitive? Yes. But you have to look at the intention behind it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

This is so dumb. Are you genuinely not capable of distinguishing these events—where cotton is deployed specifically in reference to slavery/cotton picking with a racist intent—from a classroom game involving bobbing for cotton balls with your nose? A game being played by the entire class?

According to your logic, we need to stop using white sheets given their role in the history of harassing black Americans. We also need to do away with fire hydrants and dogs. Burn down every tree.

One PP said "A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled." Well, you could also say that putting a bunch of cotton balls on the yard is hardly the same as slaver laborers picking up cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled. I thought that perhaps PP didn't know that people use cotton balls in racist ways.

It is both true that it's probably best for teachers to avoid activities that involve Black kids picking up cotton and that the teacher wasn't being racist and this woman shouldn't get a dime in compensation.

No, it’s about intent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

None of those things are what happened here. Letting all the actual racists uses of things make those things inherently racist and forbidden is the problem. Nobody can say anything that doesn't somehow offend someone somehow. It's just not a sustainable way to address racism or facilitate social interactions and relationships.

+1

This is a Long-term sub following a sub plan! This game is on the approved list of games She was told she needed to play that day. She did not go into school purposely trying to find the black kid and make him stick cotton to his face. She already picked several other players for this game first and yes, picked him because no one else volunteered. Do I agree this game is probably culturally insensitive? Yes. But you have to look at the intention behind it.

That’s literally all I’m saying! It’s culturally (or racially) insensitive because of the way racists use cotton balls, but it isn’t racist and the teacher shouldn’t have been reprimanded because of it at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of deflecting going on. Maybe there was no malicious intent, but obviously the family is offended. I am not familiar with the game, but as a Black adult, I would want my kids lubing their face up and covering it with cotton. I think I’d be upset too.
Justin Fairfax was a pretty good draw for an attorney. I’m sure Arlington County is now taking this seriously and they should respect the culture of Blacks in the country who’s ancestors were enslaved and the post traumatic stress they may be experiencing.

what part of the culture of Blacks and history of slavery makes cotton inherently offensive?

NP. Be for real. Nobody is saying cotton is inherently offensive. If you just google “cotton picking slur” you can see why having somebody who is Back pick up cotton is inappropriate. I think this woman is a hustler and the situation should have been taken care of with an email to the teacher that was forwarded to the principal and APS, but learn a little history.

A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled.

Right. This is a hustle that is hurting the students of Gunston, making it harder to fill much-needed sub positions, making people scared that someone will point a finger at them for something benign and not doing race relations any favor. It's all around sad.

I'm the PP who said that the actions was culturally insensitive. I also said that this woman is a hustler and she should have just sent an email so that the sub was made aware of the cultural connotation of cotton balls. You're not doing anybody any favors by saying that cotton has NOTHING to do with race.

Here are some instances of Black students being harassed using cotton balls (all by other students, not teachers). It happens.

Cotton balls strewn across the grass at a Black cultural center in Mississippi: https://www.kmbc.com/article/cotton-balls-left-at-black-culture-center/3659180.

Kid hands out cotton balls to Black students to mock Black history month: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-10/272655/california-student-made-racist-black-history-month-cotton-ball-joke/

White kid throws cotton balls at Black kid at a private school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHMLYRNxP74

And the term "cotton-picker" is a racist slur.

This is so dumb. Are you genuinely not capable of distinguishing these events—where cotton is deployed specifically in reference to slavery/cotton picking with a racist intent—from a classroom game involving bobbing for cotton balls with your nose? A game being played by the entire class?

According to your logic, we need to stop using white sheets given their role in the history of harassing black Americans. We also need to do away with fire hydrants and dogs. Burn down every tree.

One PP said "A game with a factory made cotton ball is hardly the same as slave laborers picking cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled." Well, you could also say that putting a bunch of cotton balls on the yard is hardly the same as slaver laborers picking up cotton to the point that their fingers regularly bled. I thought that perhaps PP didn't know that people use cotton balls in racist ways.

It is both true that it's probably best for teachers to avoid activities that involve Black kids picking up cotton and that the teacher wasn't being racist and this woman shouldn't get a dime in compensation.

No, it’s about intent.

You can unintentionally do something that is racially insensitive. If it’s intentional it’s just racist.