This is a preface addendum: Please read the comments. Apparently this policy rotates to permit the minority black students to have a chance at getting elected. The policy has been around for 40 years. Nevertheless, it is still segregation.
I saw this story on the news this morning and have been anxious to blog about it ever since.
In Nettleton, Mississippi, the class officers' positions at the middle school are segregated by race, but only for "black" and "white." (I guess there are no Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Persians, Indians, Native Americans, or Arabs in Nettleton's Middle School.)
One woman was so offended by this outdated, antiquated, offensive, immoral, racist policy, she packed up her four kids and moved to another town.
Are these people living in Brigadoon? Where have they been for the past 50 years?
As you can see from the policy, there is no opportunity for a black students to run for President. And the lower the grade, the lower the opportunity for black candidates.
Where is the ACLU? Why aren't they all over this BS?
Here is the school district's website. Their slogan is "Teaching Today What Matters Tomorrow." Apparently that includes segregation. Huh. I thought segregation was (thank God) yesterday. Apparently, in Nettleton, it's "tomorrow."
I will not type all the things this story makes me want to say. Suffice it to say I feel shocked, angry and offended. And to the school officials of Nettleton who propagate this oppressive, racist policy, I say "SHAME ON YOU!" (because some of you might be offended by what I really want to say).
BTW, if you are so moved, why not drop a line or two to the School District and let them know how you feel about racial segregation in 2010.
NETTLETON SCHOOL DISTRICT
179 Mullen Avenue
Nettleton, MS 38858
Phone: 662-963-2151
Fax: 662-963-7407
As usual you are not getting the entire story. The school district rotates these positions from year to year in order for black and white children to have an opportunity to serve these positions. The school district is 70% white and 30% black. They incorporated this idea nearly 40 years ago to make sure that everyone had an opportunity. So, as a proud southerner, I hope I have enlightened you just a little. BTW, I hope I didn't scare you that I can type and spell most big words correctly.
ReplyDeleteJust saw online that the Nettleton School Board just voted to eliminate the racially segregated school election policy. Better late than never.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteIt is still segregation. Sanctioning it because of population percentages is like saying "separate but equal" is OK because it really is equal. And it isn't. Because it separates them.
However, I do acknowledge that your explanation does make it seem less sinister than the article did.
BTW, I am a Southerner myself, and I do not assume anything about anyone just because they are from the South. However, I left for many reason, and a policy like this is one of them.
It IS pretty bad that it's labeled so blatantly. President: White Vice President: White... Reporter: Black. OMG. hahaha Seriously, welcome to 2010!
ReplyDelete