White student taunts black history teacher by leaving a banana in his doorway on 6 occasions. What is the appropriate punishment?

[HomerJS]

After reviewing surveillance footage they identified the student and suspended him for 2 days. After the 2 days the teacher gave the student the chance to come clean, but he denied it.

The teacher, Joel Mungo kicked the student out of his class. What should the punishment be for the student? If he confessed and apologized 2 days suspension would be fine but he denies it even though they have him recorded doing it.

Joel is suing the kid for racist harassment. This isn't the way to go because you give this ignorant prick too much power. Since Joel Mungo is a history teacher is the perfect time to bring up the history of racism in this country, use the footage of this kid and illustrate how it carries forward even today. This kid's actions need to be outed in history class in the broader context.

As for the kid's parents, are they upset about their son's racism? No, they are pissed he was suspended.

Black Virginia high school teacher sues tenth grade student who left banana in classroom doorway for months (yahoo.com)

 

[BoomerD]

Why that poor child, knowing how badly underpaid teachers are, was only trying to help out by supplementing the teacher's lunch in a way that wouldn't embarrass the teacher or bring unwanted attention to himself. In the old days, bringing an apple to the teacher was a way to garner favor...this is really no different.


/sarcasm.

 

[woolfe9998]

As for the kid's parents, are they upset about their son's racism? No, they are pissed he was suspended.

Well gee, one guess where he likely got his racism from...

 

[fskimospy]

While I think this kid is a racist asshole and should be punished I think suing him is wrong.

 

[theeedude]

It will send a message to others, also might get student's name into public record.

 

[fskimospy]

It will send a message to others, also might get student's name into public record.

But why is that a good thing? Kids are ignorant assholes sometimes and part of what makes school valuable is that people are supposed to be able to do stupid shit without real world consequences. The student should absolutely be given detention, be suspended, have to write essays about how racism is bad, whatever, but leave it within the school.

 

[ivwshane]

If it was me, I’d beat the shit out of the parents for raising such a shitty kid. Luckily it isn’t me though as I’d end up in jail.

 

[HomerJS]

But why is that a good thing? Kids are ignorant assholes sometimes and part of what makes school valuable is that people are supposed to be able to do stupid shit without real world consequences. The student should absolutely be given detention, be suspended, have to write essays about how racism is bad, whatever, but leave it within the school.

That's why I'm in favor of it being a lesson in his history class. Kids by10th grade are pretty savvy and are less tolerant of racism then they were 20 years ago. I suspect his new shitty reputation will solve itself.

 

[Lezunto]

Being calm, reasonable and thoughtful is the way to go.

Screaming, shouting insults and uttering childish epithets is proof you're someone with an out-of-control temper.

If an individual does this most of the time, they should be avoided.

This is why I endorse your course of action, HomerJS. A teacher's job is to teach.

 

[BoomerD]

Besides...as long it it was only on the doorway...

 

[Amol S.]

That kid should be expelled, not sued, not suspended.

 

[MrSquished]

Expelled and report the parents to child services

 

[pmv]

Suing him over it seems a very American way to handle it.

In my day the kid would have been caned. (Also, possibly, beaten up by some of his black fellow-pupils.)

 

[Pens1566]

Suing him over it seems a very American way to handle it.

In my day the kid would have been caned. (Also, possibly, beaten up by some of his black fellow-pupils.)

This ^.

Would let this get sorted out naturally, as it should.

 

[cytg111]

Have anyone tried talking to the kid?

 

[Meghan54]

Punishment? Banana in da tailpipe!

 

[interchange]

Something like a written apology or a report on some article about racism.

 

[sdifox]

Make him do this

 

[Zor Prime]

Before the teacher tossed him from his room he had an opportunity to allude that the student had a thing for bananas as he gave them back in front of everyone and could have quipped to the class the only reason why the student wasn't hauling in eggplants while preferable was a simple matter of convenience.

That student could have been the laughing stock of the school while the teacher became legendary. Supposing the parents raised hell that would be a good time to bring up the racist innuendos, provided the punk went home and cried about it. If the school wouldn't have my back at this point I'd bounce (seems they fortunately do to allow the teacher to drop the student.)

Teachers would threaten you back in my day, I got dragged into the hall and thrown against lockers and talked to with noses an inch apart.

 

[WelshBloke]

While I think this kid is a racist asshole and should be punished I think suing him is wrong.

I'm in the UK and suing people is different over here. What's the likely outcome of his being sued in the US?

The kid, nor his parents, seem bothered by the teachers distress and I can see why the teacher would want some sort of regret or self admission that the kid was in the wrong.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Public name and shame, followed by expulsion and ban from the school district. Parents can move or enroll him in some piece of shit private school.

 

[MrSquished]

I wonder who his parents voted for. Oh wait, no I don't.

 

[woolfe9998]

I'm in the UK and suing people is different over here. What's the likely outcome of his being sued in the US?

The kid, nor his parents, seem bothered by the teachers distress and I can see why the teacher would want some sort of regret or self admission that the kid was in the wrong.

I could probably comment, but I have yet to see a link to the complaint he might have filed in court, so I don't know exactly what are his legal theories and what elements he'd have to prove. I will say that I've never heard of a teacher suing a student.

BTW, all the articles on this were back in April with nothing more current. And none of the articles linked a complaint, suggesting he hadn't filed one yet. It's possible he still has not, and never will.

 

[lsrx101]

But why is that a good thing? Kids are ignorant assholes sometimes and part of what makes school valuable is that people are supposed to be able to do stupid shit without real world consequences. The student should absolutely be given detention, be suspended, have to write essays about how racism is bad, whatever, but leave it within the school.

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Perknose
Forum Director

 

[Leeea]

I'm in the UK and suing people is different over here. What's the likely outcome of his being sued in the US?

Usually done to force a settlement or concessions from the parents.



If no settlement is possible, the teacher can receive a judgement of damages against the student. The student likely has no money, so a court order to garnish his wages will occur.

Eventually the child will grow up, get a job, and promptly discover that the court will collect 50% of his wages from his paycheck until the judgement against him is satisfied.


If the grown up student just accepts this, no real harm beyond having to pay some damages off.

The hilarity issues when they decide to rebel against the system, and go to work in the grey market* economy for cash jobs. That works out at first, court cannot trace that money. But no real career there, and eventually they ruin their own lives attempting to avoid legitimate work or any sort of traceable career. All to avoid paying the plaintiff what he or she is owed.

*typically grey market is day labor or construction that pays in cash. Not criminal activity.