APS black student singled out to play cotton picking game

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The teacher at the heart of the complaint is a foreign born person of color?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The teacher at the heart of the complaint is a foreign born person of color?

I was surprised that the teacher is supposed to have said : “You think I am a racist??” immediately after the incident.

Now I can see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The substitute French teacher in this story is a foreign-born POC? I hope she gets to take the stand when this goes to trial.

It is American stupidity that should go on trial, not this teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The substitute French teacher in this story is a foreign-born POC? I hope she gets to take the stand when this goes to trial.

Yes. You will be hard pressed to find a school whose students and faculty are more diverse than Gunston. There are kids and teachers from literally every corner of the globe there. The school administration is extremely committed to creating an equitable environment for these kids. It is not the kind of place where racism (casual, or otherwise) would be tolerated. The family is claiming that more should be done, but I'm not sure exactly what the "more" is. Fire the teacher? Institute yet another "training" for the teachers to have to complete? Have APS hire a personal french teach teacher for this kid? Pay cash for mental anguish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does picking up cotton balls with their greased up noses have anything to do with learning French?

Honestly, this is why American public education is trash.

And why did they pick the Black kid to do it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does picking up cotton balls with their greased up noses have anything to do with learning French?

Honestly, this is why American public education is trash.

And why did they pick the Black kid to do it?

multiple kids got to do it, if not all. It’s supposed to be a fun Minute to Win It Game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It's entirely possible the teacher is racist and treated the student inappropriately without the game being racist. I think most are just annoyed by the click bait headline that the game was about picking cotton, when it was just a stupid game involving cotton balls.

it’s more likely that the poor substitute teacher was following a poorly written lesson plan passed down to her. And then, got unfairly caught in the crosshairs of someone trying to make a nothingburger into a somethingburger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The substitute French teacher in this story is a foreign-born POC? I hope she gets to take the stand when this goes to trial.

Yes. You will be hard pressed to find a school whose students and faculty are more diverse than Gunston. There are kids and teachers from literally every corner of the globe there. The school administration is extremely committed to creating an equitable environment for these kids. It is not the kind of place where racism (casual, or otherwise) would be tolerated. The family is claiming that more should be done, but I'm not sure exactly what the "more" is. Fire the teacher? Institute yet another "training" for the teachers to have to complete? Have APS hire a personal french teach teacher for this kid? Pay cash for mental anguish?

“Pay for mental anguish” is the answer this boils down to for the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does picking up cotton balls with their greased up noses have anything to do with learning French?

Honestly, this is why American public education is trash.

And why did they pick the Black kid to do it?

multiple kids got to do it, if not all. It’s supposed to be a fun Minute to Win It Game.

Well, very Wrong.

They should have separate games for Black kids, preapproved by the ACLU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The teacher at the heart of the complaint is a foreign born person of color?

Seems that is an important part of the story, if so, that was interestingly left out of all the stories and all the comments by all the involved parties including the family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The teacher at the heart of the complaint is a foreign born person of color?

Seems that is an important part of the story, if so, that was interestingly left out of all the stories and all the comments by all the involved parties including the family?

Well yeah... shakedowns work best in minimal lighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does picking up cotton balls with their greased up noses have anything to do with learning French?

Honestly, this is why American public education is trash.

And why did they pick the Black kid to do it?

Tbh, she probably thought she was doing him a favor giving him a fun chance at the game.

[Anonymous]

The poor teacher. Please give the teacher a break. This is obviously not some game motivated by racism. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that you put racist in quotes tells me exactly who you are.

DP, but no. The game is not “picking cotton” and is not racist. Unless anything having to do with cotton is considered racist, how could a sub from another country, or this one for that matter, ever think that pushing around cotton balls with your nose is racist and resembles picking cotton? Was it a waste of time and not what should be happening in school? Yes. Was it handled poorly by a clueless but needed sun? Seems like it. But this family is the reason the kid is now in the library and they clearly want money or for APS to foot the bill for a private placement.

He felt uncomfortable and told his teacher so. The mom thinks it's racist. The NAACP got involved. I don't know what else to tell you. If a Black person tells you something's racist, I'm going to listen to them, not some anonymous person.

What would you have considered an appropriate response to the complaint?

It seems as though the school is in a catch-22 on this incident. If the initial response to the parent had been, "You are right, this game was racist and damage has been done to your child", APS would be sued with proof of guilt. The teacher initially denied that the activity was racist, and that was interpreted as "not being able to accept the wrongness". How COULD the school have responded to this to avoid a lawsuit? The only place where APS was truly wrong was with the student confronting the student after the fact. That should not have happened, but I can understand how this teacher, a foreign-born POC, was utterly baffled by the accusation.

The teacher at the heart of the complaint is a foreign born person of color?

I was surprised that the teacher is supposed to have said : “You think I am a racist??” immediately after the incident.

Now I can see it.

Ok but you don't say that in front of the entire class!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just opening your dresser drawer then and choosing today’s T-shirt is picking cotton. This is ridiculous. Setting up a minute game with affordable, disposable balls is what happened. Everyone is offended by anything and try to gain media attention and money. The poor teachers! It sounds impossible to be a teacher, if every activity needs approval by some diversity committee.

+1