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KKK Style Hat
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I think this is the key. The child probably isn't even old enough to truly understand what the argument is about. Many children at that age haven't even made the connection that color makes people "different" unless their parents have strong feelings on race. Now these parents have to explain to their child why he can't wear a hat that he had fun making in school because of something some white people did a long time ago. They take an innocent child and force the idea of prejudice and racism into the childs' mind.
Now this child probably feels that he has somehow done something wrong and may make the correlation between all this trouble and the fact that the teacher is white. We sometimes forget that children see things differently because their actions are guided by reacting to what they see without pre concieved notion of how the world works. Perhaps that is their true intention but I want to give these parents the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are not race card pushers or activists but that they honestly thought that they were looking out for the good of their child. I think they let their personal feelings outweigh the needs of their young child and made the situation way worse than it needed to be. IMO it just passes racial mistrust down another generation.
And one more question. How does this affect the other students in the school? If this guy is a teacher of 30 years he probably has a good reputation among parents. This is likely to divide the community on racial lines. This is certainly going to work its way back down to the children at the school.
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Somewhat dubious, but my first thought was that it was a knights helmet not a hood, but that's probably a cultural thing. The kid looks rather proud in the photo though!
Lol, I saw the knight's helmet to!
Heart of gold, Kwesi. Your candor is always refreshing.
I think that, for some, there is this assumption that the ugly symbols of this country's racist past are (or should be) at the forefront of our thoughts every waking moment of every day.
Some people will see that mask, that innocent, colorful child's art project, and immediately, instictively, think of burning crosses, intimidation, and lynchings.
Other people, of all races, will not.
Speaking for myself, and perhaps for other white teachers, I have been somewhat traumatized by those ugly images. They're patently horrible. In my mind, I subconsciously suppress those thoughts and images. A situation has to be blatant and obvious to the point of truly threatening before I have the reaction these parents had.
To assume this art teacher was aware of the KKK imagery and implication, and consciously chose to ignore it, is a huge stretch of the imagination and the most negative, worst assumption anyone could possibly make.
You missed my point about racism entirely. It had nothing to do with the teacher. What I meant to say is that people who look for racism in every turn are just as responsible for it NOT GOING AWAY, as the people who use the "N word" and wear the white hoods for real. Does that make more sense ? Of course, it's just my personal opinion on the subject.
This issue hits home for me, as I try really hard to be accepting of EVERYONE. Why ? Because my biological father was an actual Klansman. He tried to indoctrinate me with all of that BS. It turns my stomach now, as a adult. But then, as little kid, I thought my "daddy" knew everything. How sorely wrong I was. I should try and dig up the pic of me, @ 6 or 7 years old, in my little white sheet ....standing in front of a burning cross @ a Klan rally. Sadly, even though I didn't know what was going on @ the time, I'll never live that down.
I don't mean to be confrontational with you Dr. Cheese, I really don't. I apologize to you if it came off that way. Yes, when saw the pic I thought Klan hood too. I was a bit upset with myself that is where my mind went 1st too.
Holy.....cow!
I'd love to see that picture, if you happen across it.This little gem of information sheds your life on a lot of things regarding your post. I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking, how's your relationship with your dad nowadays?
Holy.....cow!
This little gem of information sheds your life on a lot of things regarding your post. I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking, how's your relationship with your dad nowadays?
In later days we became estranged. As I grew, I saw him for the lying, cheating, substance abusing creep that he really was. One of the greatest days of "relief" that I have ever fealt was the day he died in 2007.
To give an example, my credit right now is destroyed. Why ? Because in my life he's indentity thefted me 3x. One time I found out as I was trying to buy my 1st house. Another time, in 2007, I was ready to start a MAC Tools dealership. As I was applying for credit I found out he'd done it again in 2006.
Another time he was arrested on weapons charges. Thought he'd be cute and give the cops my addy etc., since we have the same name. Well the next day, there it is, in the local paper. Don Mxxxxxx, who lives @ X address, is the county jail for concealed weapons charges. My boss @ work saw it, and despite my explanations & proof, I was fired on the spot. He even tried to get a credit card in my 8 yr old (at the time) son's name, a few years back. I've begun the process recently to get things fixed, but it will take years. My son will be going away to college in a 3 yrs and I need to be in a financial position to help him. Right now, I cannot. So in essence, that low life SOB is STILL burning me, from the grave. I hope that a-hole rots in hell.
I guess in a way though, I'm lucky. He left when I was 6mths old. So I didn't get the full "benefit" of having him there everyday. That being said, I was truely blessed to have a step dad who was also there from about 8yrs old. That man was a saint, despite his faults. I'm really greatful that he was there for me. He's my true "dad"
Enough of my BS, let's get back to the original topic.
Thanks for the kind words
. I agree 100% with this post. I kinda feel bad for the teacher. He's gonna catch a whole flak for this if he already hasn't and there's really nothing he can say to get out of it 
If you are refering to me, that is not what I said. I said that the teacher should be aware of how things might look to parents. I have said at least three times in this thread that I can believe that his "oversight" was unintentional.
I don't know who'd consider this BS; I'm glad you didn't learn your biological father's bad habits. I'm also fortunate my father left when I was 2; he's a nutcase, but nowhere near where yours was. I'm glad your stepdad was there to take care of you as well.
K, you're right, back on topic in OT
That's a terrible personal tragedy. I don't take pleasure in anyone's death, but I am glad you are free of your father now.
So we understand each other now ? I hope so. I really think you're a pretty decent guy.
We're cool. I do agree that those who look for insults will always find them. That makes pointing out racial issues a very traicky thing indeed.
Well, it wasn't aimed entirely at you, however...
It sounds like a reluctant concession on your part, and you still hold the teacher accountable and guilty of some wrong-doing for his "unintentional unawareness."
It did, but I'm a little hesitant to say things that may be misunderstood. I've had to explain things that I thought would be simple more than a couple of times here on TB
Dr. Cheese, I'm not a Barry fanboy either. But, he's a whole lot better than the alternatives we were presented. That being said, I do agree with a lot of the things he said in the campaign. Could you imagine what would've happened if McCain was elected, and then died in office. Yikes !
