[POLL] College Math Instructor Accused of Racially Insensitive Test Question

[So]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I never had my time wasted being taught by a TA when I was in a community college.

I've had more than a few TA's who were better teachers, more interested, and generally gave more of a sh!t about the students than the professor of the course.

 

[CaptainGoodnight]

I say it's not racist only because Rice is a Republican.

 

[Mucho]

Voted "Yes"

I think by using the name Condoleezza in conjunction with watermelon the author was clearly invoking racist stereotypes!

But, I can see how a board made primarily of frat boys dont sees it as such.

 

[Baked]

Everybody should get a beige tan.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Mucho
Voted "Yes"

I think by using the name Condoleezza in conjunction with watermelon the author was clearly invoking racist stereotypes!

But, I can see how a board made primarily of frat boys dont sees it as such.

:roll:

 

[Thegonagle]

I say f--- anyone who can't take a joke, however, it would have been funnier if it was Condoleezza and a water balloon filled with crude oil. Or he should have left well enough alone and left the name as Gallagher.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i think some people need to get a life, and actually sort some real problems out

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Mucho
Voted "Yes"

I think by using the name Condoleezza in conjunction with watermelon the author was clearly invoking racist stereotypes!

But, I can see how a board made primarily of frat boys dont sees it as such.

The author used Gallagher. The teacher, noticing all the young kids didn't know who that fsck that washed up wanna-be comedian was, substituted a name that's in the news everyday... and one that he liked, to boot.

Frat boys? Um, OK. :roll:

 

[Stuxnet]

"Shaniqua throws her crackhead baby up in the air..."

 

[poopaskoopa]

It doesn't offend me, but the prof is a dumbass for not anticipating that associating a black person with watermelon might stir sh!t up. These are easy things to avoid.

 

[Vic]

I'm offended that people are offended.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: Amused
Professor Apologizes for Test Question

BELLEVUE, Wash. (April 20) - A community college math instructor has apologized for a test question invoking Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that students complained was racially insensitive.

Peter Ratener, 60, who has taught at Bellevue Community College for more than 25 years, said Wednesday night at a trustees meeting that the question on an exam last month was an "egregious mistake."

It began, "Condoleezza holds a watermelon just over the edge of the roof of the 300-foot Federal Building, and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second." The question then asked students to determine when the watermelon would hit the ground.

The Board of Trustees condemned the wording as insulting to Rice, who is black, because of caricatures of blacks eating watermelon during the days of plantation slavery.

Ratener said the question originally referred to Gallagher, a one-named comedian who smashed watermelons as part of his act, and that he changed it to Condoleezza because she was more recognizable and because he likes the name.

A number of Seattle-area black community leaders demanded Ratener be fired or disciplined.

"Apologies have been made, but where is the atonement?" said James Kelly, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.

College President Jean Floten said action would be initiated against Ratener under a section of the faculty contract that covers punishment, such as a reprimand or suspension, but not termination.

Notice the wanting atonement or payback. It's not enough for whitey to make a mistake. We have to crush him and ruin his life because of it too.

It has been said many times that racism is all about power. In this particular case, who wields the power? That's where you'll find the racists.

 

[zephyrprime]

This is definitely a racist question. I don't know how the rest of cannot see this as it is so blatent and obvious.

 

[BooGiMaN]

the board of trustees are lame...everyone up in arms are lame...geez give the geezer a break...its obvious he had no ill intentions...

on further thought i think ill replace lame with the word assholes

 

[mercanucaribe]

It's all about the intent, and it seems obvious that his intent was racism. Using Condoleeza because he likes the name? Give me a break.

I wonder what all "anti pc" people would be saying if it was an Asian woman holding a fried cat or a Jew holding a bag of money.

 

[NatePo717]

Originally posted by: Vic
I'm offended that people are offended.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
This is definitely a racist question. I don't know how the rest of cannot see this as it is so blatent and obvious.

Everyone knows that watermelon jokes are the most effective way to keep the black man down.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: Vic
I'm offended that people are offended.

And I am offended by that.

 

[KarmaPolice]

People need to chill the ****** out.

OMG! HE SAID SOMETHING THAT COUDL BE RACIST...BURN HIM!!!

 

[aswedc]

Honestly, if this guy didn't realize the trouble he'd get in for writing a question like that, he's way too stupid to be teaching.

 

[Amplifier]

Black people LOVE watermelon lol!

 

[Aharami]

A number of Seattle-area black community leaders demanded Ratener be fired or disciplined.

:roll:

 

[KarmaPolice]

I dont understand what the big deal is. Black people liking watermelon is a stereotype....built around the fact that...a lot of black people like watermelon. Much like the stereotype that white people...cant dance. cause a lot of white people...cant dance. Now of course none of them are true all the time...but its just an observation. People get upset way to quickly in our society..people need to get a fricken sense of humor.

 

[DeadByDawn]

yawn

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: Vic
I'm offended that people are offended.

And I am offended by that.

Ok I am offended that you would get offended over someone taking offence to others being offended. So what if someone gets offended over others being offended, it's none of your damn busines. :|