APS black student singled out to play cotton picking game

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Justin Fairfax’s website claims “Attorney Justin Fairfax is quickly becoming the Ben Crump of Northern Virginia.” I think he’s doing this for his own notoriety more than anything else!

The “Ben Crump of Northern Virginia”

Really aiming high after resigning office in disgrace following multiple allegations of sexual assault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

And why would they?? I sure as hell wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

Yeah problem is almost solved. They just need to award him his monetary damages now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

Yeah problem is almost solved. They just need to award him his monetary damages now.

Absolutely if you’re referring to the teacher. LOL if you’re referring to anyone else involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

Yeah problem is almost solved. They just need to award him his monetary damages now.

What’s the actual legal claim under which he would be entitled to damages?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

So a whole class of kids who are supposed to be learning French are instead just sitting there learning nothing since this happened? Is that really what is going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

So a whole class of kids who are supposed to be learning French are instead just sitting there learning nothing since this happened? Is that really what is going on?

Would love to know this also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

So a whole class of kids who are supposed to be learning French are instead just sitting there learning nothing since this happened? Is that really what is going on?

Another teacher could be teaching French remotely from another middle school. Otherwise it’s probably become just a study hall class for now.

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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.

That is NOT what I said. I said a GAME using a factory made cotton ball is not the same. You have to look at the circumstances. Was he the only kid picked, were all the kids picked black, etc etc NO. Your examples are completely different- of course those are racist! They were intended to be racist! This GAME was not.

I think the more important questions are:
Was he offended?
Does he have a legitimate reason to be offended?

Someone offended me yesterday and I didn’t go to sue for 5 million.

It’s not about whether or not he’s offended when it comes to a lawsuit. It’s whether or not there was intent to discriminate or intimidate.

Intent does not outweigh impact. What could have been a stupid way to kill time became something bigger because no one stepped in to turn a benign mistake into an opportunity to learn how to do better. The kid didn't know how to speak up, the teacher didn't know when to back down, the principal didn't know how to address it constructively, and the mom didn't know how to raise (or wasn't interested in raising) an issue in a collaborative way.

If the parents aren't Arlington residents and their son gets booted from APS, it will seem like poetic justice for that one time she charged a daycare parent a late fee. Live by the rule, die by the rule.

But everything else is just depressing. Also, eff Justin Fairfax.

Whoa, horsey! No. No one stepped in because NOBODY saw anything to step in about because there was absolutely nothing wrong with using cotton balls for this particular stupid game and activity. There was NO mistake made. The kid didn't speak up because he wasn't offended at the time, just didn't want to play the stupid game that other classmates also didn't want to play. It all "became bigger" because of MOM. MOM. MOM is the only problem here.

Yup

And that’s precisely why there needs to be an appropriate resolution. Arlington Public Schools see nothing wrong with the racism directed towards Black children. A child may not know how to immediately handle the situation, which is why his attorney and his parents are addressing the issue.

Well, to be fair, it IS difficult to know how to immediately handle a racist situation WHEN IT WASN'T A RACIST SITUATION.

Maybe the teachers intent wasn’t for it to be racist, but no Black kid should have to stick his face in cotton as leisure activity.

Ok. They’ve removed the game. The student is removed from the class where he’s facing blowback from his peers for having a teacher removed. Problem solved

+1

The kid could have gone back to the class had another long term sub been found, but APS has a huge shortage of subs. Long term subs are even harder to find bc they must commit for a longer period of time. The random parent signed up to sub will not do that. And now that this parent has made a spectacle of the situation, no one is taking that job. It's been sitting there for months.

So a whole class of kids who are supposed to be learning French are instead just sitting there learning nothing since this happened? Is that really what is going on?

Another teacher could be teaching French remotely from another middle school. Otherwise it’s probably become just a study hall class for now.

Who is going to risk their reputation and livelihood to teach this class? You would have to be a fool.