Education appointee email ignites firestorm

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

Lots of racists in NYC. Racially charge e-mails are more important than decades of high levels of school dropout rates by some minority groups.

After each "punch line" the cartoon-like strip shows a photo of Obama's face, positioned in such a way to make him look stunned and dumbstruck.

It's Charle's avatar- "Don't tax me, Bro".

this one is better

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Tick off yet another stereotypical response. The "they put more importance on perception of racism than pressing social problems in their communities"

A fantasy.

That these stories make national headlines is entirely to do with the prominence of the individuals involved and the obvious sensationalism sells. The simple fact is that public officials who represent communities should not engage in divisive or bigoted dialogs that marginalise groups of people within those communities.

It doesn't mean that there aren't efforts going on in those communities to address their own problems, but clearly the prescence of bigoted people on education boards and local councils isn't something that should be ignored.

[Craneman 2]

I sense a:

"why is it ok to tell Irish jokes..

Double standards! "

Are you serious? The Irish are from Ireland. Ireland is a country, not a race.

How about polok jokes, Poland is or was a country?

[HAL 9000 96]

HAL and PD are disappointed this thread has not turned into a flame war yet.

I yet have hope for you young grasshopper. Just say something insensitive, racist, or otherwise just stupid and I guarantee criticism.

[alienlovechild 75]

Tick off yet another stereotypical response. The "they put more importance on perception of racism than pressing social problems in their communities"

A fantasy.

So fettering out the racism of nobodies as minor local officials is more important than reducing the dropout rate, crime/drug culture glorification in some quarters, having kids they can't support, number of folks in prison. . . all of those ills are due to whitey and and his political cartoons. That line of reasoning has been heard for so long it's become a joke.

That these stories make national headlines is entirely to do with the prominence of the individuals involved and the obvious sensationalism sells.

This guy Ballinaro is an appointee in Staten Island and you're claiming this guy is a household name in NYC? The only reason is guy is known is because he sent some racist stuff so they had the goods on him and somebody has a political ax to grind with him.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Tick off yet another stereotypical response. The "they put more importance on perception of racism than pressing social problems in their communities"

A fantasy.

So fettering out the racism of nobodies as minor local officials is more important than reducing the dropout rate, crime/drug culture glorification in some quarters, having kids they can't support, number of folks in prison. . . all of those ills are due to whitey and and his political cartoons. That line of reasoning has been heard for so long it's become a joke.

Who say it is? I'm not saying that at all...

You seem to be suggesting that because headlines exist complaining about racism in local government, that somehow this equates to people's priorities being screwed up.

I'm saying... how do you know? How do you know that communities are suffering because they're obsessed with political correctness than with actually trying to address their own problems? Good luck trying to qualify that one...

This might shed some light on the issue...

The email has brought to the fore long-held feelings among African Americans and other minority groups that decision-makers in Staten Island's District 31 are not sufficiently attuned to their communities, he said.

There are currently no African American members of the Community Education Council.

That these stories make national headlines is entirely to do with the prominence of the individuals involved and the obvious sensationalism sells.

This guy Ballinaro is an appointee in Staten Island and you're claiming this guy is a household name in NYC? The only reason is guy is known is because he sent some racist stuff so they had the goods on him and somebody has a political ax to grind with him.

Umm... he's a representative of local Government in Staten Island, and as such is answerable to the local community for his actions.

[alienlovechild 75]

You seem to be suggesting that because headlines exist complaining about racism in local government, that somehow this equates to people's priorities being screwed up.

I'm saying... how do you know? How do you know that communities are suffering because they're obsessed with political correctness than with actually trying to address their own problems? Good luck trying to qualify that one...

What I'm saying is that a lot of communities have long tolerated all of ills of the underclass I've mentioned which were important than some witch hunt. It's easier to tar some guy than make real headway to improve communities.

There are currently no African American members of the Community Education Council.

So? Only about 10.7% of residents are black and there's only 12 seats. My guess is participation by blacks in the parent-school organization is probably lower than their proportion in the population. Maybe this will motivate them to take a more active role in schools.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Staten_Island

"The Councils were designed to ensure that parents have a voice and are able to provide hands-on leadership and support for public schools. Parents control the majority of the seats on all of the councils; at least 9 out of 12 available seats are held by public school parents. Students and community members make up the remaining seats."

http://www.cec31.org/

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The obvious question there is that if racism is being perpetuated in the educational council that someone might, quite reasonably, wonder if this is a reason why there isn't black representation on it. Trivial as it might seem - public officials should really know better than to alienate parts of the communities that they represent.

[alienlovechild 75]

Trivial as it might seem - public officials should really know better than to alienate parts of the communities that they represent.

When only 70% of kids graduate high school nationally, I'd safely say they were alienated long before the guy with the loose tongue showed up.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sure. That doesn't this guy any less culpable.

[HAL 9000 96]

Apples are apples because oranges are oranges ?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think we need a few Irish-centric jokes to demonstrate how unfair it all is.

[HAL 9000 96]

I think we need a few Irish-centric jokes to demonstrate how unfair it all is.

Nah... just go out and say white people this and white people that and I'm sure some fool will take the bait.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I think we need a few Irish-centric jokes to demonstrate how unfair it all is.

Russian Roulette

An Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishman and Paddy Scotsman were playing Russian roulette.

Paddy Englishman used a gun with six chambers and no bullets;

Paddy Scotsman used a gun with six chambers and one bullet;

Paddy Irishman used a gun with six chambers and six bullets - but he put The gun to Paddy Englishman's head.

Edited March 3, 2009 by Mister_Bill