Anonymous wrote:So is it common at private schools that teachers post pictures of their students on the teacher’s personal social media site? We’re starting K next year at a small Catholic school and I know there’s a waiver to sign about allowing the school to use your child’s image on the school’s website or promotional materials, but nothing that would give a permission teacher to post pictures to their own Twitter, FB or IG. Seems like Congressional parents follow this teacher on Twitter so maybe that’s just the way things work there.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry but are you suggesting to make a valid point one most be morally spotless in doing so? One does not necessarily negate the other. You just want it to so you can bury the lead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think that it is a bit disagreeable to tell an AA male that they can't find their super-hero in ancient Egyptian rulers. While the pharaohs weren't exactly black Africans, and no doubt enslaved quite a few, Egypt is technically on the continent of Africa. Who am I to question your hero, especially one that is pretty much a pop figure in today's world. I am guessing he was just "a pharaoh", no name tag with Ramses, Tut etc.

Right? And I can't say that the HOS doesn't have Egyptian heritage, which would rule out concerns of cultural appropriation. The music teacher had a treble clef as part of her costume, so I just assumed the video participants chose alter-ego heroes based on things that were personally meaningful.

It is not cultural appropriation to wear an Egyptian costume. Appropriation or being offensive is when someone is denigrating or profiting off another person’s culture. Egyptian culture belongs to all humanity as it was one of the first great civilizations.

As someone of Egyptian heritage, I think it is sad that Jewish people see symbols of my ancestors as symbols of hatred towards them. Partly this is because for much of Egyptian history Egypt had a large and indigenous Jewish population who had been in the country since ancient times and are just as much a part of the fabric of the country’s history as any other group. Anyone who has read the Bible can see that Egyptian history and Jewish history are far more intertwined than the events of the Passover story suggest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think that it is a bit disagreeable to tell an AA male that they can't find their super-hero in ancient Egyptian rulers. While the pharaohs weren't exactly black Africans, and no doubt enslaved quite a few, Egypt is technically on the continent of Africa. Who am I to question your hero, especially one that is pretty much a pop figure in today's world. I am guessing he was just "a pharaoh", no name tag with Ramses, Tut etc.

Right? And I can't say that the HOS doesn't have Egyptian heritage, which would rule out concerns of cultural appropriation. The music teacher had a treble clef as part of her costume, so I just assumed the video participants chose alter-ego heroes based on things that were personally meaningful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we just get collective agreement here that “Pharaoh” is not the name of one guy who persecuted Jews? It’s literally a title, like King or Czar. There were hundreds of them. It is beyond a stretch to say that dressing up as an Egyptian monarch is the same as a Nazi.

I think that it is a bit disagreeable to tell an AA male that they can't find their super-hero in ancient Egyptian rulers. While the pharaohs weren't exactly black Africans, and no doubt enslaved quite a few, Egypt is technically on the continent of Africa. Who am I to question your hero, especially one that is pretty much a pop figure in today's world. I am guessing he was just "a pharaoh", no name tag with Ramses, Tut etc.

Anonymous wrote:

I think that it is a bit disagreeable to tell an AA male that they can't find their super-hero in ancient Egyptian rulers. While the pharaohs weren't exactly black Africans, and no doubt enslaved quite a few, Egypt is technically on the continent of Africa. Who am I to question your hero, especially one that is pretty much a pop figure in today's world. I am guessing he was just "a pharaoh", no name tag with Ramses, Tut etc.

Anonymous wrote:Can we just get collective agreement here that “Pharaoh” is not the name of one guy who persecuted Jews? It’s literally a title, like King or Czar. There were hundreds of them. It is beyond a stretch to say that dressing up as an Egyptian monarch is the same as a Nazi.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe this school needs more creative and sensitive approaches to teaching about painful topics in history? There is such potential for inflicting trauma on POC in the way we go about teaching slavery, Holocaust, Japanese internment... maybe save the skits and fun and revelry for the many more innocuous topics.

Anonymous wrote:I can't comment specifically on the Civil War costume post that's been removed. However this teacher's lessons routinely include dressing as abolitionist Sarah Grimké with students donning her costume as well. Sarah Grimké and her sister devoted their lives to ending slavery and make appropriate and interesting subjects for students. Could this be a case of an incomplete photo caption failing to explain the sensitivity, respect, and inclusion present in the actual lesson? Probably. Was it ill-advised to post such a picture of students despite parents having signed waivers? Probably. Should the school provide a response to this event, particularly regarding the removed post(s)? Yes and as a Congressional parent, I've added my voice to those asking for this. I suspect they saw the vitriol here and removed the post quickly to protect students, something any parent would want. Give them a minute to craft a thoughtful reply that doesn't create more harm. Personally, I will presume good intentions, allow time for accountability, and delay any outrage.