8 year old boy kicked out of class for dressing as Martin Luther King Jr. for school project - Polidicks

First thread in SH in awhile, I searched and didn't find anything similar so sorry if it's a repost. [QUOTE]A second-grader booted from the classroom for dressing in blackface as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. costume is calling for the school to apologize. Sean King and his family say officials at Meridian Ranch Elementary School near Colorado Springs, Colo., were out of line when they reprimanded him last Wednesday for the controversial getup. “They were really negative to me and wouldn’t tell me what the consequences were of refusing to take off the face paint,” Sean told KRDO. [B]The 8-year-old dressed up as King for a school project[/B], in which students were assigned a historical figure to depict on “wax museum day,” according to the station. Sean wore a black suit, white shirt and tie, but it was his black face paint that sparked controversy. [B]The principal asked Sean to remove the paint or leave school.[/B] Sean’s parents, who were at the school to watch the students’ presentations, decided to take him home. Anthony Roca, Sean’s father, said a meeting with the school district’s superintendent was absurd. “The superintendent said that the words that MLK said were the most important. We didn’t need face paint,” Roca told KRDO. “I said, ‘Okay, if we don’t need the face paint, then why do we have to dress up in costumes for the school project?’” [B]Sean has said he never meant to offend anyone with the costume[/B], and told the station his family still deserves an apology. “It’s about them being mean to me and my family,” he said. “My mom ran out of the room crying.” The family says it wants to sit down with school officials to further discuss the incident, or they will consider moving Sean to another school. The district has not issued a public comment about Sean’s request, but told KRDO that it is considering implementing special classes to teach students and parents about racial stereotypes.[/QUOTE] Source: [URL]http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/boy-apology-school-kicked-dressing-blackface-tribute-martin-luther-king-jr-article-1.1082256[/URL] I think political correctness has gone too far. He was playing an American hero trying to be factually correct. Why is he being punished? He's a fucking second grader, he's not trying to offend anyone. Glad to know education is our priority.

[quote]“The superintendent said that the words that MLK said were the most important. We didn’t need face paint,” Roca told KRDO. “I said, ‘Okay, if we don’t need the face paint, then why do we have to dress up in costumes for the school project?’”[/quote] rated him zing in real life accidentally killed him

what if he was going to get assassinated too, the school was protecting him!

[quote]considering implementing special classes to teach students and parents about racial stereotypes.[/quote] this is the FUCKING STUPIDEST SHIT. racial stereotypes? so... if a black man has black skin, he's perpetuating a racial stereotype ...?

[quote]Anthony Roca, Sean’s father, said a meeting with the school district’s superintendent was absurd. “The superintendent said that the words that MLK said were the most important. We didn’t need face paint,” Roca told KRDO. “I said, ‘Okay, if we don’t need the face paint, then why do we have to dress up in costumes for the school project?’”[/quote] Good for Mr. Roca. The superintendent really does sound like an idiot. I don't see how this was offensive or even remotely racist. The makeup was just a part of the costume. It's not like the kid got up and ran around the room singing "Mammy" or did a racial stereotype comedy routine. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaj7FNHnjQ[/media]

[quote]it is considering implementing special classes to teach students and parents about racial stereotypes.[/quote] You see, kids, black people don't have black skin. That's just a stereotype! And stereotypes are bad!

[QUOTE=icantread49;36055127]You see, kids, black people don't have black skin. That's just a stereotype! And stereotypes are bad![/QUOTE] this reminded me of a guy who said that babies not being intelligent was a stereotype

[QUOTE=Meatpuppet;36055086]this is the FUCKING STUPIDEST SHIT. racial stereotypes? so... if a black man has black skin, he's perpetuating a racial stereotype ...?[/QUOTE] I bet this wouldn't have been a problem if the kid playing MLKJ was black. But because it's a white kid with face paint it's an offensive stereotype. Even though the person he portrays is an American hero.

Uh, the kid was wearing blackface to depict Martin Luther King Jr. I imagine the kid wasn't aware that there was anything wrong with what he did, but I could very easily see, if he were allowed to present normally, it being turned around and used against the school for endorsing offensive stereotypes.

[QUOTE=catbarf;36055241]Uh, the kid was wearing blackface to depict Martin Luther King Jr. I imagine the kid wasn't aware that there was anything wrong with what he did, but I could very easily see, if he were allowed to present normally, it being turned around and used against the school for endorsing offensive stereotypes.[/QUOTE] How. Please explain how dressing up like MLK is offensive.

[QUOTE=catbarf;36055241]Uh, the kid was wearing blackface to depict Martin Luther King Jr. I imagine the kid wasn't aware that there was anything wrong with what he did, but I could very easily see, if he were allowed to present normally, it being turned around and used against the school for endorsing offensive stereotypes.[/QUOTE] In what world is a kid wearing blackface to portray MLKJ even remotely offensive?

I rmember TH89 once said 'politcal correctness is just something bigots use to justify their bigotry' and you know I really wish that was true, but then every so often something like this comes along and tries its hardest to prove him wrong.

[QUOTE=Protocol7;36055277]In what world is a kid wearing blackface to portray MLKJ even remotely offensive?[/QUOTE] In a world where people still remember the Civil Rights Movement.

This is fucking retarded.

It would be understandable if he dressed like that and then brought in a watermelon and some chicken or something actually racist.

[QUOTE=VengfulSoldier;36055293]In a world where people still remember the Civil Rights Movement.[/QUOTE] Are you saying people still carry racism from the period?

"considering creating special classes to teach students and parents about racial stereotypes" I dont see how this is bad. Considering Martin Luther King Jr.'s importance was him standing up for Black rights while he, himself, being black.

The problem isn't actually that he was dressed up, rather that his face couldn't be identified if he were trying to do something bad. It's the same reason why you can't wear masks to school. Please don't turn this into a racial issue. That being said, the no-tolerance stuff is kind of dumb seeing as he was the only student dressed up as MLK...

[QUOTE=King Tiger;36055276]How. Please explain how dressing up like MLK is offensive.[/QUOTE] Because when most adults see someone wearing blackface, their first thought is this. [IMG]http://ionenewsone.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/52-blackface.jpg[/IMG] It's not anything intrinsically bad about the kid making himself look black (I mean, I kind of agree that MLK's words are what's important, not his race, but that's minor), but blackface itself has a very negative history, ironically symbolizing the worst of racism (kind of ironic for MLK, isn't it?), that most people would rather forget about and move on from.

[QUOTE=Master X;36055373]The problem isn't actually that he was dressed up, rather that his face couldn't be identified if he were trying to do something bad. It's the same reason why you can't wear masks to school. Please don't turn this into a racial issue. That being said, the no-tolerance stuff is kind of dumb seeing as he was the only student dressed up as MLK...[/QUOTE] The people on the radio said a staff member at the school was offended by the face paint. I'll try to dig up a source on it. Also, the superintendent responded saying "I'm not talking to an 8 year old"

I can't believe some of you are honestly failing to see what is wrong with blackface. This isn't an issue of PC gone wrong, it's an issue of common fucking sense. Blackface has been used for nearly two centuries in incredibly offensive contexts, and you're surprised that people got offended? Come the fuck on. Beyond that, it's wholly unnecessary. Painting his face black doesn't make it any more 'authentic', it's fucking ridiculous and offensive. [QUOTE=Protocol7;36055277]In what world is a kid wearing blackface to portray MLKJ even remotely offensive?[/QUOTE] In a world where it has been used FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE than for white actors to portray the worst black stereotypes, perhaps?

[QUOTE=catbarf;36055241]Uh, the kid was wearing blackface to depict Martin Luther King Jr. I imagine the kid wasn't aware that there was anything wrong with what he did, but I could very easily see, if he were allowed to present normally, it being turned around and used against the school for endorsing offensive stereotypes.[/QUOTE] Yeah damn that kid for perpetuating the stereotype that black people are black. I just want to see how he actually looked with the paint on, because the description is rather vague

Here we go [QUOTE]A spokeswoman for the principal told KRDO that some students, [B]as well as the faculty member who initially complained,[/B] felt the costume was offensive. It's the principal's job to make sure the school is a safe environment for students, she said.[/QUOTE] [URL]http://ontd-political.livejournal.com/9671297.html[/URL] I can see people saying that by using blackface it's reminding people of a time that blackface was used in a racially offensive manner, but it's 2012, not the 1900's.

Not to mention it's an eight year old who was told to dress up as the person he was doing the assignment on

[QUOTE=Led Zeppelin;36055415]I can't believe some of you are honestly failing to see what is wrong with blackface. This isn't an issue of PC gone wrong, it's an issue of common fucking sense. Blackface has been used for nearly two centuries in incredibly offensive contexts, and you're surprised that people got offended? Come the fuck on. Beyond that, it's wholly unnecessary. Painting his face black doesn't make it any more 'authentic', it's fucking ridiculous and offensive. In a world where it has been used FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE than for white actors to portray the worst black stereotypes, perhaps?[/QUOTE] Are you trying to tell me that you're offended by an 8 year old kid because of the history of blackface? [editline]22nd May 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Valdor;36055416]Yeah damn that kid for perpetuating the stereotype that black people are black. I just want to see how he actually looked with the paint on, because the description is rather vague[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://puu.sh/wb83[/IMG] I don't see how that's offensive. It's not even in the style of blackface.

[QUOTE=Valdor;36055431]Not to mention it's an eight year old who was told to dress up as the person he was doing the assignment on[/QUOTE] Basically teaches the kid years before a person should know that the world he's in is full of idiots and shit.

[QUOTE=Protocol7;36055505]Are you trying to tell me that you're offended by an 8 year old kid because of the history of blackface? [editline]22nd May 2012[/editline] [IMG]http://puu.sh/wb83[/IMG] I don't see how that's offensive. It's not even in the style of blackface.[/QUOTE] Whether or not I'm offended is wholly irrelevant. You can't seem to grasp the fact that SOMEONE could find this offensive, which I'm arguing is highly likely, and given the fact that the kid got kicked out, actually happened. This isn't a case of PC gone wrong, even though some of you seem to want that so badly. It's a case of clueless white people feeling entitled to something that has a long and dark history that they either don't know about or willfully ignore. Truthfully, I'd be willing to bet some of you feel entitled to saying 'nigger' too. "IF A BLACK PERSON SAYS IT I CAN TOO WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD!"

[QUOTE=Led Zeppelin;36055598] Truthfully, I'd be willing to bet some of you feel entitled to saying 'nigger' too. "IF A BLACK PERSON SAYS IT I CAN TOO WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD!"[/QUOTE] There's a difference between 'nigger', a racist insult, and 'nigga', an alternate way of saying 'friend'.

it doesn't matter if the kid didn't mean any harm, if the school was seen permitting that they'd get in even deeper shit from the media and from their communities. they were protecting themselves. blackface (in any form) is still an extraordinarily racially charged issue, and as quoted there were people complaining about being offended - so naturally the school decided to remove its own liability in the issue by telling the kid to go home.

[QUOTE=Led Zeppelin;36055598]Whether or not I'm offended is wholly irrelevant. You can't seem to grasp the fact that SOMEONE could find this offensive, which I'm arguing is highly likely, and given the fact that the kid got kicked out, actually happened. This isn't a case of PC gone wrong, even though some of you seem to want that so badly. It's a case of clueless white people feeling entitled to something that has a long and dark history that they either don't know about or willfully ignore. Truthfully, I'd be willing to bet some of you feel entitled to saying 'nigger' too. "IF A BLACK PERSON SAYS IT I CAN TOO WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD!"[/QUOTE] I can understand that the history of blackface is offensive to some. But simply because a white person wears black face paint doesn't make it racially insensitive, regardless of the history. Now if he were wearing blackface and dressed like your average gangbanger, I would draw the line there. But he was trying to be more factually correct - he was not mocking anyone based on their race. I think that difference of intent makes all the difference.