Racist, yes. End of a career, no. The "leave" sounds about right.

Alleged stupid comment.

Yeah is was racist. I'd be upset if I was the kid too. Ok, lets move on to better news.

Three black people in all of Connecticut and he couldn't remember the name of one of them? Stupid, indeed.

What if the teacher had said "How about short boy? Go sit down, short boy" or "blonde-haired boy" or "hazel-eyed boy" or even "white boy?" I know that the history of racism makes blacks more sensitive to this type of thing, and rightfully so, but when will we move on? By 2064, 100 years after the Civil Rights Act, will we still be dealing with this double standard or can we start treating everyone the same? It is racist to treat blacks different than whites, even if the treatment means being overly sensitive/cautious about offending them, right? (I'm really not trying to troll here. I'm interested in thoughts)

Innappropriate, absolutely. Not career ending, and not really racist either if its true right?

The drop out rate for Waterbury is 38.4 % which is the "cumulative four-year dropout rate for the class of 1997".

• http://www.cga.ct.gov/ps99/rpt/olr/htm/99-r-0295.htm

So, sorta makes one wonder what else is, or is not, going on in the Waterbury classrooms.

I know that the history of racism makes blacks more sensitive to this type of thing, and rightfully so, but when will we move on?

I'd be very happy to move on, but apparently some people can't control their attitudes and therefore keep stoking the fires of racial animus. What black child could expect a fair shot by a teacher or employer who publicly belittles him like this? If black people weren't treated differently, then we could indeed move on.

And we are still dealing with fairness to women nearly 100 years after winning the right to vote! Women are still likely to make less than their male counterparts for doing the same work.

Don't blame the victims who have every right to insist on their constitutional rights. Blame the victimizer who doesn't respect those rights.

How about she gets his name right? Or calls him, "chief", "buddy", "pal", "Frank", etc.

I agree that political correctness has gone too far but I also worry about the disintegration of common courtesy and respect.

JD, you said

I know that the history of racism makes blacks more sensitive to this type of thing, and rightfully so, but when will we move on?

We, whites and blacks alike, can move on when we whites all become as sensitive as blacks are to racism, for only then can we eradicate it.

I am white, and I am a male. How come someone calling me "white boy" would not offend me??

Hey G_Reaper! 3 black people in Connecticut? Try about 358,070.

While Connecticut is 10.1% black (as opposed to the US average of 12.6%), it actually ranks 21st in terms of black population, slightly behind Pennsylvania but far ahead of Kentucky, California or the other 27 states.

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html

Treat everyone equally bad, that's my motto.

I love to listen to people who actually were victimized by racism like Colin Powell. He didn't let that keep him down. He entered a predominantly white career field (Army Infantry Officer, Ranger, Airborne, etc) and persevered his way to the top. Herman Cain and Condoleezza Rice are two other shining examples of success. It's amazing what getting an education, staying away from crime, and working hard can get you, no matter the color of your skin. Yes, as a minority you might have to work harder to overcome some stereotypes, but if you show up in hip hop clothes to a job interview, don't complain to me about racism when you don't get the job.

"Stay in school and stay out of trouble" is applicable to ALL children.

Todd, you've got that exactly right. MSNBC....the race baiting network.

My goodness... one wrong word that can be misinterpreted or twisted and your career is over... what has happened to this country?

SMB,

Because white men, don't have a history of being denigrated, discriminated against, insulted and disrespected, by black people, be they older younger, smarter or dumber, less or more successful then them, referring to them as..

"Boy".

If you can't see why you don't get to whine about that, there's no helping you.

I'm sorry, white guys, I know there are a lot of you, who truly wish to be part of a persecuted minority, as evidenced by your whining about how "unfair" you all have it these days, but it simply isn't reality, nor will it ever be.

Count your lucky stars, and think before you speak.

Really Frog? "allybammy"?

So everyone from Alabama is racist? If so, then why is the population of Alabama 26.2% black while the national average is only 12.6%? Seems to me that if Alabama was that racist, the blacks would move north....

I'm surprised she didn't defend herself by saying, "I thought about what I said and I've reviewed it and I'm pretty sure I didn't say Black, I'm pretty sure I said blah." Then it would all go away and she would never be called out on it again. America would just take her word for it and forget. Some people would even clap for her.

Todd, you beat me to the comment. Dumb thing for the teacher to say, and wrong. But national news???

Sarah- What about the "Micks, Spics, Whops, Kikes, Krauts, Wet Backs, and Gingers" of America? Trust me, we have our own history of being cruel to each other based on where we were from and what we look like.

If he is black and a boy I really don't see the problem here. People need to get over the petty crap. It's not like he called him the N word. Stop being so sensitive.

Todd, I'm a Kraut and have been called much worse things than that based on my ancestral heritage. I just don't let that stuff bother me.

Calling someone "black boy" instead of "short boy" or "blond boy" is NOT the same thing. The teacher seems to have chose that term specifically to be derogatory.

I'm Kraut/Whop/Mick. I drink too much and have a strange affinity for potatoes.

I'm not minimizing the history of slavery and racism in America. It is truly a "black eye" on the face of the best country in the world. The facts are clear, America's rise to prosperity and power was on the backs of the slave. Even the white slaves of indentured servitude were essential in the building of this nation. I get very disheartened when I read stories like this and think that people like Al Sharpton cheapen actual racist behavior by championing any affront against a black person as a racial injustice. It's very frustrating for a guy like me who doesn't tolerate ANY racist/sexist behavior in the men I've led.

Its not about being sensitive about racial names. We here are who we are, and if someone wants to bring out a racial name, we deal with it or ignore it. But its not the same for a teacher. She is supposed to set an example on how to behave in a class. She is not at home where she can let racial remarks fly. She is supposed to be a fair and partial, and educated, teacher. A kid won't know how to handle that the way we can.

Sarah, so you agree then, when a black male gets called a "boy" and he cries and pulls the racism card, then he is just whining? Great! Yes, I think so too. GET OVER IT!

Sarah: Todd, Agreed, but that's not what this article is about. This is about black/white. Which have, far and away, the most inequality and vilest history, separating them.

I do enjoy it when Sarah shows up. :)

So a presumably white teacher called a student black boy is national news. But all of the African-American students I see run around calling each other "N" and that's okay?

Get over the racism claim. I'd much rather be called black boy than short boy!

I am white, and I am a male. How come someone calling me "white boy" would not offend me??

If you're honest, you'll admit that would depend on the context. A person can usually tell when a remark is meant as an insult.

Mark from Bridgeport

Hey G_Reaper! 3 black people in Connecticut? Try about 358,070.

Hey Mark from Bridgeport! In each of my more than 4 million posts here on MSNBC, I use hyperbole over and over and over and over and over and over to highlight a point or for comedic effect.

Pretty much, if you defend this teacher, you are a racist. And anything you tell yourself to justify it, is just being more racist. You aren't in the majority, or even a large minority, though the minority you are in is still too big to allow.

Really, there's no explaining it to you. There's just telling you. If you are defending the teacher, you, yourself, are a racist, pure and simple. Go on and argue because it just keeps proving the point.

Hmmm- middle school. I would assume that the individuals attending there are about 11-13? If not "boys" and "girls" , then what? I guess we will have to now come up with a PC term for African- Americans of individual ages, to keep the PC BS rolling.

I'll bet if she called a white kid "white boy" , nobody would have said a word, least of all the black community.

Members of the "black community" wonder why they are treated like incompetants: this is why. Society in general feels that you cannot address a black person by any term , because they might take offense depending on how they feel at any one time. I've been taken to task for using "sir" and "Ma'am. If I can't be polite, I'm going to ignore them. Not worth the trouble to do otherwise.....

I'm a "square head" out of the Middle west, and proud of it.

Let's ask Al Sharpton what he thinks - he's probably home in "Hymietown".

Gee, it got awful quiet here all of a sudden.......

Oh brother, this frogmorton guy, where do these people come from? white hating America hating pompous traitors. Always addressing the world from an imaginary throne on the hill of moral and intellectual high ground

Contradicting themselves at every turn, as he does here stereoptyping and showing intolerance for people from Alabama.

I am white, male and wouldn't be bothered by being called "white boy" AND my ancestors were marched at bayonet point from their crofts and shielings down to the transport boats and ripped away from their clan to come to America to work as forced indentured servants (sounds like slavery to me) and I got over it.

Talk about reading your history? Read about the Highland Clearances. Read about Glencoe. Starved is starved, dead is dead, and a dead child in the lap of a soon to die enslaved parent is still just as dead. AND it doesn't matter what the skin color is, nor the language they cry out in is.

What the heck is a 'Ginger'? I had a black guy call me 'white boy' at one of my softball games. I kindly explained to him I would bury the f*#$ing bat in his teeth if he so desired. So, yes, it would offend me.

G_Reaper: Yeah fine... but in an article with a huge debate about sterotypes and racism, it's hard for a Nutmegger to not try to disprove the typical Connecticut stereotype: that we're all white or rich. Or both.

My state's motto should be changed to : "Connecticut, we're not just Greenwich and Darien". ;-)

@H25 A "ginger" is a read head. They suffer from "gingervitus". Just ask Eric Cartman.

H25 Thanks for saying that. I am not a white male, but those I know would at least take pause to consider the nature or intent of the remark if an antagonistic sarcastic mocking black man called them White-boy.

Nothing to do what this teacher said..but I read quite a few past articles online..and there are a lot of persons that wish not to be called African-American..but rather Black American.

More race baiting by MSNBC. Since this is being investigated, what if the investigation proves the accusations are false? This lady has already been tried and convicted by the media. Good job, NBC.

GIVE IT: "A "ginger" is a read head."

So they're really into books? Loiter in Libraries?

Totally shocked. I couldn't believe someone in a professional position like that could make a statement such as that,” said Jimmy Griffin, who is with the Connecticut African American Emancipation Challenge.

Shocked, bull he hears way worse in his community everyday, I can guarantee you that, I know I do. I weep that in this day and age we still jump at every chance to be offended of words we ourselves use on a daily basis.

Todd-651965

Treat everyone equally bad, that's my motto.

I love to listen to people who actually were victimized by racism like Colin Powell. He didn't let that keep him down. He entered a predominantly white career field (Army Infantry Officer, Ranger, Airborne, etc) and persevered his way to the top. Herman Cain and Condoleezza Rice are two other shining examples of success. It's amazing what getting an education, staying away from crime, and working hard can get you, no matter the color of your skin. Yes, as a minority you might have to work harder to overcome some stereotypes, but if you show up in hip hop clothes to a job interview, don't complain to me about racism when you don't get the job.

"Stay in school and stay out of trouble" is applicable to ALL children.

What is the relevancy of this to the article

If he is black and a boy I really don't see the problem here.

The problem here is an issue of respect. As a teacher myself I can tell you that a teacher's behavior towards a student reflect's the teacher's attitude toward that student and the teacher's interest in the student's academic success. A teacher who doesn't speak to a student with respect is less likely to devote time and effort to the student.

Look like the team that MSNBC assigned to cover the Travon Martin case has been reassigned to monitor any potential racist act against black people and report it to us

Breaking News: White lady looks cross-eyed at black person in line at Wal-Mart!

...details to follow

@ What? Good call on my typo. LOL at me. I can handle the abuse. Sometimes even I, of German descent, make mistakes. Now you can call me Hitler or a Nazi if you would like. I deserve it for that extra "a" that somehow got into my post... Maybe I'll just blame Siri.

since this is alleged and no investigation has actually happened then she should be able to keep teaching and make the money she deserves. all too many times have allegations been proven false. sometimes good people's names are tainted by people that are just pissed off one moment and get them in trouble and then the next they come out saying it didn't actually happen. if this happened to me, i'd tell the school to go F itself. whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty... and yes this is msnbs, why are people shocked they are race baiting. they incorrectly covered the treyvon martin case more than any other network. i kind of just blow it off now.

Identifying someone as "black" isn't inherently racist. If you assume they're being derogatory, it's only because you have a preconception that black skin denotes inferiority. By assuming it's racist, you're being racist.

Additionally, when are we going to stop using the term "African-American?" These people have no more connection to Africa than I do. How about ... "American?"

If a Black teacher were in class and said, "hey white boy, sit down" the white community would TOTALLY have melted down!! And rightfully so.......... It's always OK when it's not you, or your child huh???

wah wah wah, blacks take everything white people say as racist. Im almost positive that african americans are way more racist than white people. Im so sick of the double standard, its incredible.

pandas are awesome,

Careful...you might be flamed for trying to foist common sense and ethics onto NBC news services.

Of course, you're exactly right. Reporting the news is one thing, but publishing the name of a teacher accused of a firing offense--when the investigation is still ongoing--is in my opinion irresponsible.

So essentially this teacher may never find employment again, even if it turns out she's innocent.

If she said it, fine...but right now there's no conclusions as to who said what.

What this teacher said was wrong, and she should be reprimanded for it. There's no need of it. But of course she's union, so she won't even lose a days pay.

For the comment made "If you defend this teacher, you are a racist" that to me is what is wrong with this country. The liberal media convinced America that if we didn't vote for Obama then we MUST be racist. That is just as stupid.

My husband who is a Marine was the only black man in his group during Desert Storm. They called him "Snowflake". Was what they said derogatory? NO and he didn't consider it as such. For sure he's been called worse in his lifetime.

smb. that "someone" happens to be the childs teacher and not some random idiot off the street. IF you are an adult and your boss in a professional setting says hey white boy get over here a reasonable person would agree that is not a civil way to communicate amongst adults let alone to a child. how about the salary the teacher is being paid would dictate they can learn and use the name of one of the children in their class as part of their job description.

If so, then why is the population of Alabama 26.2% black while the national average is only 12.6%? Seems to me that if Alabama was that racist, the blacks would move north....

actually, the south had laws that made it extremely difficult for anyone to recruit black people to work out of state. for example in the 30s, a recruiter had to pay a 1 million dollar fee to recruit black people in (one southern state, I don't remember which)

also people do have an overall tendency to stay in places that they know

I guess if he had been refered to as "African American Young Man" everything would have been hunky-dory?

How stupid can this teacher be? I mean, she's not a standup comedian. If you're gonna say something racist, it's pretty idiotic to say it in front of dozens of witnesses.

My concern is rather simple. If this was said, certainly it is deplorable and action ought to be taken. But equally concerning is this tendency to rush to judgement when we don't have all the facts. Like - did this really happen the way it is reported. And the media runs and gets "reaction" pieces from everyone!!! As a journalist turned educator - I continue to cringe at the media's 24/7 appetite for matters like this....taking a local story and blowing it up bigger than life when we don't REALLY know what took place. Is it time for some new media standards?? A new code of conduct? I think so.

The thing that bothers me is people hide what they really are, I have more respect for the KKK then most of you White folks here at least they don't hide what they are ............ If it walks like a DUCK and Quacks like a Duck it sure ain't no chicken

All of you perfect people commenting about how a teacher should act 100% of the time should try teaching for a while. MSNBC makes it out like the kid with the forgotten name (I obviously can't say "black boy" here without being called a racist) just kindly corrected the teacher. Of course it's more likely that the kid was disrespectful and caused the teacher to lash out, but who knows. In any case, I would think it would be nearly impossible to keep your cool 100% of the time as a teacher in today's schools. The blacks thanks to the likes of Jesse Jackson are taught to be the perpetual victim. To me it sounded like she used black boy as a description, he was a black boy after all. I can't imagine that it was meant in the context of a slave since how many people have actually heard the word used in that context in recent times.

What did the Afro American do to piss the teacher off??? Was he also disrespectful? I bet my life on it he was! Always two sides to every story!

There needs to be an investigation. If this was a one time event then she needs to go to sensitivity training. If this is only the one that got caught then that is a different issue.

You mean to tell me after 9 months of school she does not know his name. She got it wrong and he corrected her, so she got mad and insulted him. Not acceptable to any child from any teacher.

I also love when Sarah shows up. An exhilirating breath of fresh air.

Career Ending - NEVER!! Inappropriate Comment - absolutely. Had the child followed directions, it would have never happened. The only reason this is even in the News is because some people are making this to be a "Racist Issue", and it's not. If it was any other race it would have never even been mentioned. This sounds like someone is going to attempt to get some easy money. If a Black teacher had called a White student, White Boy", her name would not have been listed anywhere and she would not have been labeled a "Racist".

Sarah you are full of it, go take a civil service test and see how much a white man is discriminated against do to the color of his skin. Minorities are given points on civil service test, Dayton police dept was ordered by Holder to lower the scores of their test so more blacks could get on the force. Now are you going to tell me a test that is given to each individual is racist?

Problem was, the kid was white, lol.

SMB-2043421

I am white, and I am a male. How come someone calling me "white boy" would not offend me??

I'm white, over 60 years old, retired military, and a great grand father. If someone called me "white boy" I'd be damned offended.

I'm 68, retired U.S. Govt. and a grandfather of 10 and if someone called me white boy, so what, their the one with the problem. What's your point Ol_Doc?

It's time we get over this crap and quit wearing our feelings on our shirt sleeves. People grow up.

Ol_Doc - "I'm white, over 60 years old, retired military, and a great grand father.If someone called me "white boy" I'd be damned offended."

OK, so? If I was a 40 year old Chinese woman, I'd also be offended at being called "white boy".

This was an actual boy, who was black, who had just "corrected" his teacher in front of the class.

Calling you a "white boy" would be inaccurate, calling a black boy "black boy" is actually accurate.

It sounds to me like a lot of people need to get over themselves already.

I'd bet the teacher couldn't pronounce the kids F'd up name and he smarted off to her when he corrected her so she replied back with "how about black boy" because he was disrepecting her.

Quit coddling the kids and ruining America.

Why does most everyone have this teacher convicted already?!?! This is a maybe incident, the kid, could be a 'punk ass liar' you know. They are just now getting into the investigation of it, wait to hang the teacher after the evidence comes in... The other kids in the class room may say the teacher never said that...

Kids that are black are not sensitive about it until thier parents teach them to be. The whole black sensitivity is so worn out. Racist this and racist that. If someone called my son white boy, I wouldn't get upset so why do we have to cater to the people who whine about everything? He is in middle school, so he is a boy not a man. He is black which is what black people preferred to be called until someone decided African American would make them sound more special. This is rediculous. Some people won't be satisfied no matter what you call them and I for one am sick of the punishment handed out to white people over alleged hate crimes, racism and all the other baloney. Enough. Get over yourselves.

What the teacher did was clearly inappropriate, and not very well thought out, but I'd hardly call it racism. Teacher was probably just stressed out and not thinking - still not a very good excuse, but bad things still happen when people are involved - none of us are infallible.

However I just can't equate "calling a black person 'black' ",.. evidence enough that the name caller believes there is in inherent genetic inferiority prevalent within 'said group'.

I'd be far more concerned, as a parent, that my children were in public schools to begin with.

______________________________________________________

Because white men, don't have a history of being denigrated, discriminated against, insulted and disrespected,

Well,,, at least not up until the last 30 years or so.

Well done, Mr. Miller. We don't know what caused this to be said, or if the motivation was racism, frustration, exhaustion, stupidity, or any number of non-racist reasons. We don't even know if the offending teacher is white, at least not from this article. Before we lynch this teacher, who may in fact deserve the lynching upon investigation, let's get some facts first.

Sarah, on the surface what you say seems so reasonable. Yet it's not. What troubles me so much about your posts is that without knowing any of the facts in this particular case you have vested in this black student the entire history of slavery and racism and Jim Crow. He's a BOY. Why must he be forced to pick up the entirety of the baggage of our history? We don't even know, for instance, if he isn't a first generation immigrant, but here you are ready to pile on to him every sin committed against people who have dark skin. Maybe the teacher simply effed up? Must it REALLY be that the ugly head of racism has reared its head every time someone darker than you or me is spoken to improperly?

The problem with your position should be obvious, but it obviously isn't. We can NEVER leave our racist past behind because you refuse to let it go. Not to pretend it didn't happen. Not to ignore it in conversation. But for pete's sake, do you really have to ascribe every action you dislike to ongoing racism? Wouldn't the more simple explanation, absent proof to the contrary, that this teacher is like so many others--imperfect if not inept--and simply screwed up? I think racism is, to the left, like a warm and fuzzy blankie. The group nature of it, the obvious injustice of it, all serve to comfort you. Imagine if it didn't exist to the extent you claim? What then would we make of so many other issues, from Affirmative Action to blacks being disproportionately on welfare or in prison? Hell, we might actually have to make real, and uncomfortable, judgements.

Oh no, not "black boy"; I demand life without parole, as a minimum for the teacher! Oh, and as for the student, he must write on the chalkboard, "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me", fifty times.

I can't believe this story actually made the national news. Ridiculous!

Stupid comment by a stupid teacher no doubt, but national news? More MSNBC race baiting...

Well MSNBC (and Newsvine) have to generate more mouse clicks for ad-revenue and what better way to do that than to post bullsh!t like this. It's nothing new.

They were told the teacher called the child by the wrong name, and when he pointed that out she responded by saying, "How about black boy? Go sit down, black boy."

This teacher's response was totally wrong. Sure, someone can refer to someone by their race, but that is not the point here. He allegedly corrected her about his name, and instead of simply saying 'OK (insert name)', she decided to demean him. That's what makes this a bigoted response by the 'teacher'. Let's put this in context; If you miss-spoke one of your co-worker's name would it be acceptable to say 'how about (insert race, ethnicity, etc.) man/woman. Now go do your job (insert race, ethnicity, etc) man/woman.'? Would it? Does anyone think that the person would not be offended because someone flippantly decided they're not worth calling them by their given name?

pjam09,

Calling you a "white boy" would be inaccurate, calling a black boy "black boy" is actually accurate.

Accurate DOES NOT EQUAL approrpiate. Calling you an idiot would be accurate, but it wouldn't be appropriate.

Accurate DOES NOT EQUAL approrpiate. Calling you an idiot would be accurate, but it wouldn't be appropriate.

Nonetheless, you'd do it anyway. Like just now.

So you really don't have a point.

I can't believe the number of people on this board who believe it is appropriate for a teacher to address children by their race, culture, religion, etc. And who actually expect a child to feel okay about it and accepting of it. If a black teacher had berated a white child like that, that teacher would have been removed that very day.

Teachers are professionals who are trained to interact with their students in a supportive way and in appropriate disciplinary ways. Having been a teacher, I would never think of addressing a student like that--"hey, china girl, sit down. hey, jew boy, shut up." Nor is it appropriate to address a child as "short" or "blondie" or whatever. If a name had temporarily escaped my mind, I'd probably say either "young lady" or "young man."

A teacher is there to model appropriate behavior for their students. Duh, that's what a teacher does. If your black supervisor addressed you as "white person, what do you want?" you'd be crying about reverse racism.

Get an education.

And I cant believe that i'm hearing people say it's okay for blacks to say "white boy", but it's not okay in reverse. I've seen 100 posts already where people are saying -basically- reverse discrimination is okay since whites used to be the really bad offenders.

Thats the biggest pile of bull@!$%# I've ever heard. I am not saying that what this Teacher said was okay, but to turn around and justify blacks racism is simply bull@!$%#.

If your black supervisor addressed you as "white person, what do you want?" you'd be crying about reverse racism.

And why shouldn't we? Whats the difference? In this day and age, it is racism. It has to be, if what this teacher is considered racist. Theres no difference. And thats where my problem with 1/2 of you lay.

It's this bull@!$%# guilt complex that many of you have. Well, heres a newsflash for you. All of you.

I never owned a slave. My forefathers never owned a slave. Nobody in my family ever owned a slave. No member of my family was ever a member of the KKK or any other organization like it. And even if they had been, where does that mean I owe the black population a damned thing?

Personally, I do not give a damn what color a person is. Everybody bleeds red in the end. But this is the type of politically correct bull@!$%# that makes me draw a line and make a statement. I have two blacks who work for me and according to alot of you here, they are both racist since they both use the phrase "white boy" all the time. And thats exactly what your saying, since if it's good for the goose, than it has to be good for the gander.

Well, i'm letting you know now. This story has me seriously steamed and I know two dudes who are hitting the unemployment line first thing tomorrow morning if they cant convince me their not racist. I will not have any racists working for me. And dont even attempt to tell me that it's different. It's not.

I'm absolutely sick of this bull@!$%#. Again, what this teacher said was not proper and yes, she should be reprimanded. But fired? Get serious. If this was a black teacher in the same position, everybody would scream that their being racist against her. And try to tell me i'm wrong.

What I know is this. These are the stories that are making me racist. And I don't give a damn what any of you think. I'm sick of the whining and crying about bull@!$%#. I am simply getting to the point where I feel it's better off to just avoid every other race in order to avoid this type of nonsense.

And I am not alone. Many non-racist people are starting to feel the same way. I am not going to walk on egg shells because some @!$%# wants to take advantage of the Poltical spectrum. And thats all this has turned into. "Let's cater to and baby everybody, especially the poor repressed minoritities."

@!$%# that bull@!$%# and everybody involved, including the whites who reinforce this bull@!$%#. I for one will not be one of them. I never owned a slave, so I do not owe anybody @!$%#. I will give the same as I receive.

Period.

And anybody who doesn't likie it can...well, you already know.....

This is stupid. You all are ready to convict this teacher before an investigation has even begun. Let the school authorities do their jobs, let the facts of the case come out, and then spew your opinions. Right now, none of you know what really happened, you just have the accusation of one teenage boy. Shame on you all for vilifying this teacher without any shred of proof.

Because Connecticut Equality Challenge would have to advocate for all races?

If you don't get that certain groups of people do not need advocates and others do, then there is little hope for you.

@DLux- To me, there is little difference between the New Black Panther Party and the KKK. Both are racist groups. Why do Americans of African descent (yes, American first unless they were born in Africa and became a legal U.S. citizen later) need an emancipation advocacy group? I'm pretty sure President Lincoln emancipated slaves in the 1863, that is 149 years ago. Ending slavery was one of the reasons for the Civil War that Connecticut fought on the North (anti slavery) side.

Nobody is keeping anyone down except themselves.

Todd, who said anything about the New Black Panther party? I agree, many of the names of other much needed advocacy organizations are out dated. However, it isn't like they are working to get people their freedom papers for God's sake. It is 2012 and they work on issues relevant to the times. Like making sure voters are not disenfranchised for example. Why is that so difficult for people to understand? It isn't rocket science.

And unless you walk in another man's shoes, then you are absolutely unqualified to speak on who is keeping anyone down because you have absolutely no clue. Do you know what is going on everywhere at all times with all people? Are you God? Nope. My friend's athletically gifted child was kept off an elite sports team SOLELY due to his race. The other parents and an asst. coach admitted it to her flat out. This is one of dozens of examples I could give. You have no idea what you are talking about, and sadly there are millions more like you.

Racists, by definition, are mentally challenged to see things fairly.

DLux-I hear ya, but when Eric Holder tells me that it's racist to require photo ID to vote, it kind of waters down the plight of minorities. How is it racist to confirm identity, citizenship, and residency? Racist, really? And when he refuses to press voter intimidation charges on the NBPP members standing in from of a Chicago polling station with bats, he just reinforced the fact that racism goes both ways. The problem with that is that many black people feel justified by discriminating against other races and don't see their behavior or attitude as racist. There is no justification for racist/sexist/religious/etc discrimination, none whatsoever.

I'm a career military guy, I judge people SOLELY on their ability to perform. That is how every person should be judged. Things like quotas, preferential treatment, and affirmative action take away from the credibility of any organization and advocate racism. Do you want the best doctor performing brain surgery on your child or the one that only got into medical school because she was female/black/Hispanic/poor/etc? Until we get past those programs, there will always be issues between the races because to let one in based solely on race is to deny another who truly deserves it.

Wants to know: Racists, by definition, are mentally challenged to see things fairly.

There are more than enough posts from those folks to prove that. People who, for example, see little difference between radically different groups of people...

DLux: And unless you walk in another man's shoes, then you are absolutely unqualified to speak on who is keeping anyone down because you have absolutely no clue. Do you know what is going on everywhere at all times with all people? Are you God? Nope. My friend's athletically gifted child was kept off an elite sports team SOLELY due to his race. The other parents and an asst. coach admitted it to her flat out. This is one of dozens of examples I could give. You have no idea what you are talking about, and sadly there are millions more like you

Well said. Worth repeating.

I have major issues with organizations like National Society of Black Engineers - especially when they object to creation of an organization like National Society of White Engineers. There is no difference between engineers based on their color, gender or sexual preference - they are either capable or not. And this is just as applicable to all other professions - firefighters, teachers and policemen.

As long as we keep making a big thing about someones color, gender or sexual preference you're never going to get past it.

Todd: I'm a career military guy

Oh, then....I guess you're supposed to get a "pass". Should we all kiss your butt, too?

Amen. I wholly respect that service members risk their lives to (ostensibly) protect our national interests, but damn, that holier-than-thou attitude they adopt really grates on your nerves after a while. Especially if you know that the person lording their veteran status over you was a REMF and did nothing but push papers.

My friend's athletically gifted child was kept off an elite sports team SOLELY due to his race.

I'm gonna call buII@!$%# on that. Athletics is one of the few areas of society where it seems that institutionalized racism has for the most part been eliminated. The vast majority of the highest-paid superstars in both the NBA and NFL are black. Probably better than half of the highest-paid MLB players are Hispanic. Like it or not, athletics are a completely performance-based enterprise, where the best players = the highest profit for the owners. The only color they care about is green.

NHL doesn't count, because apparently only white people are dumb enough to play hockey.

Todd: "Nobody is keeping anyone down except themselves"

Turn black and get back to me on that. Would you willingly turn black?

Read the book, "Black Like Me" about a white fellow who visited the South as a white guy. Then underwent treatment to turn his skin black and revisited the EXACT SAME locations. With an EXTREMELY different experience.

Same guy. Different skin. Totally different experiences. Try it yourself if you don't believe me.

Her...Actually, the music and entertainment industry today is also virtually free of racism. You can name as many musicians who have integrated band mates as you can movies where actors and actresses all work together and never notice skin color.

As for that stupid post about the KKK being like the Black Panthers...How many black panthers ever bombed a church with 4 young girls inside? How many Black Panthers ever lynched white men in public or in the back woods? Don't even go there with that kind of BS comparison.

But what I love is how the KKK did itself in by a white man from AL who cannibalized a younger white woman and that, after all that "protecting the flower of young southern womanhood from the evil glances of black men" BS. Oh and I especially love the plagerizing of the Koran which the KKK called their "Kloran" and used many Koran verses as their Kloran Bible. How many Black Panthers ever pulled those kinds of stunts?

I'm gonna call buII@!$%# on that. Athletics is one of the few areas of society where it seems that institutionalized racism has for the most part been eliminated. The vast majority of the highest-paid superstars in both the NBA and NFL are black. Probably better than half of the highest-paid MLB players are Hispanic. Like it or not, athletics are a completely performance-based enterprise, where the best players = the highest profit for the owners. The only color they care about is green.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the kid is white? We white people suck at sports.

todd. "I judge people SOLELY on their ability to perform. That is how every person should be judged." i agree that is an ideal we should all strive for and the country would be better as a result. "... by the content of their character." MLK.

the problem is the emancipation proclamation freed the slaves in 1863 and there was a century of inequitable treatment of their descendants in america before the legislature felt the need to pass the civil rights acts of 1964. and there are plenty of examples that demonstrate that another half century after the civil rights act we as a country are still working to fulfill that ideal you describe if at all. it may be the nature of the united states that equality will never come into fruition. if it is to manifest i believe it will be through a combination of personal accountability and the acknowledgement and rectifying of circumstances where we as a country fall short.

Akap

Don't be an idiot. 'White' people do not suck at sports. Unless you are a 'white' Jew; maybe then

/sarcasm

Fool!

OK, people lets think about this one, What if the teacher forgot his name?, this is the problem that teacher would face, can't call him BOY, that would be taken the same way as Black Boy, so can you all see the little catch 22, the color Black is a description and so is Boy, I for one wonder exactly how this teacher was to get out of that predicament if she forgot his name.

It's not a Catch 22, and I can't understand how you can't see this, unless you are either stupid about personal recognitions, etiquette's required in everyday interaction between humans, or you are just as disrespectful and a insensitive racist as that ignorant teacher?? Wow! you are really trying to justify this racist teachers stupidity. I hope you are not a teacher?

There are many ways that teacher could have address that young man without calling him a black boy, or boy period. How about, excuse me young man, or just young man, hey there young man. I think you know that teacher was wrong, and you are trying to justify her racial and socially ignorant behavior.

But don't feel bad you are in a group of well known racial ignoramuses, like Mitt ( flip/flop) Romney, Gov. Slick Rick Perry, 999 Herman Cain, Nutty Newt Gingrich, Sara Pagan Palin, crazy Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Rick Sanatorium, Devil David Dukes, Rush Limpbaugh, Dumb Donald Trump, and many others living or thank god dead, who try to disguise their racial prejudiced, and feign ignorant s when they accidentally, or on purpose let their racial bigotry get out. Sam2468 are you one of them??

Black Boy! is not a socially acceptable human description, and neither is addressing people by their race, creed, color, or nationality. Only a real racist would not know this, or is just ignorant and suffering from the severe hate associated with prolong extreme hidden bigotry, prejudiced, and racial insanity.

Prejudice, bigotry, hate, discrimination, apartheid, directed towards anyone because of their nationality, race, creed, color, gender or sexual identity, in any society, will never allow that society to be totally free as a democracy of free people.

We are each burdened with prejudice; against the poor or the rich, the smart or the slow, the gaunt or the obese. It is natural to develop prejudices. It is noble to rise above them. ~USA-President Obama

Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them. ~Edward Roscoe Murrow

One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings. ~Franklin Thomas

Small is the number of people who see with their eyes and think with their minds. ~Albert Einstein

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. ~Attributed to both Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi

I have no color prejudices nor caste prejudices nor creed prejudices. All I care to know is that a man is a human being, and that is enough for me; he can't be any worse. ~Mark Twain

""BUNCH OF DUMB ASS RACIALLY INSANE BIGOTS""WAR FIGHTER OUT""HOOAhhhhhhhhhhhh""""""""

Wow. It's not ok to call a kid out based on the color of his skin. She was way out of line in the classroom. They could consider bullying charges on her. She acted in a very unprofessional manner and there has to be rules of conduct for this sort of thing. Who wants their kids coming home saying they've been called names like that. The teacher clearly wasn't playing or just joking around with the kid. There is no excuse..she was wrong and should be reprimanded. They need to reevaluate her character and abilities. Then get her replaced by someone who loves all the kids in their classroom and will have a positive impact on these kids in the future. Give the kids someone to look up to and motivate them. Not make them not want to be there. That goes for all teachers that abuse their privileged positions. Calling any kid from any background names is wrong and definitely not in the honor code.

Nope. It's "Person of African-Heritage." You are likely a "Person of European-Heritage."

At least she didn't call him a darkie or something.

Doesn't black boy mean the same thing as person of african heritage boy! There is no such thing as person of african heritage! We are talking about Americans here I believe. The whites in Africa could be called person of african heritage, it has nothing to do with color are race goof-balls. The ne gros are just plain silly in their own dislike of selves!

So now we can't even call a black person black anymore?

Here's a better idea: Why not actually call him/her by their name instead of "boy"?
Wouldn't you want your child to be addressed that way?

moxie. look back up. see? (from texas)

you're wasting your time.

cheers!

@moxie-Of course I would want my son called by his name, but I'm not going to have a teacher fired and call them racist if they call him white boy. I'm also not offended by the many other terms used by the black community to describe white people. They are just words.

Dawgfan, I hope that by "we", you are not speaking for teachers. Odd that you don't see the problem with this.

TFNJ, by "we" I mean everyone. Black, brown, white, yellow, green, red, orange, and tan. I guess I grew up in an area where there is a pretty good racial mix and none of these words that upset people now days mattered. I have black friends that call me cracker, honkie, white boy, master, and the list goes on, and they say I can call them anything I want, but I don't because I understand the hate behind some of the names. I just can't see where calling a black boy a black boy is racist. It's obvious he is black and this is a middle school so he technically is still a boy. I just don't see the racism in it.

I think the 'spirit' in which this teachers words were spoken, was totally inappropriate. In my way of thinking it looks as if she intended on making an example of him on some level, whether he was black, Asian, or cacasion If the student would have refered to her as 'you white woman', then you can rest assured that he would be in DEEP doo-doo.

I think political correctness helps people realize that they should be showing a measure of respect when referring to, or speaking to another individual. But I also think that sometimes it's blown way out of proportion. This teacher has the responsibility (by example) of helping to raise and teach her students with dignity, respect and tolerance. If she is incapable of doing this, maybe she should find another line of work. And, if this is the only insult this young man suffers in reference to his race then he doesn't have much to worry about.

Personally, I would never refer to anyone in the manner in which this teacher did. The only time I think it would be necessary to mention any-ones race, was if you were having to describe, or identify another individual. Something like....the tall red headed caucasion boy; the Asian girl with really long black hair; the bald Mexican man in the wheel chair; the African/American woman with the large Afro hair do, etc. These would be for identification purposes.

Dawfan, the problem is that its not for the teacher to see students by their race, but as a mere student. We know there is racism in the streets, in school yards, in forums, but in a school that is supposed to be left behind. I'm not saying that what she said was racism, but it borders on it since she couldn't get passed his race.

Yes I too have friends of all races, and we make racial jokes on each other. Its not words that hurt, but their intentions. A teacher does not know a student that well to make those remarks. She is not a friend. A friend can call me any name they want, for me it would be Spic, but I know where they are coming from. But never a stranger. I don't know if they are attempting to be derogatory.

Come on guys. You know her context was way off. If she was describing him to someone else and she said "The black boy in my class..." then that's one thing. But for her to discard his real name in which he corrected her and say "how about black boy? go sit down black boy". That's completely different and you guys are purposely trying to dumb it down to make black people seem paranoid. You are only trying to convince yourselves.

"Nope. It's "Person of African-Heritage." You are likely a "Person of European-Heritage.""

What if the kid was from Australia instead of an African country, the indigenous Aborigines are black too, you know. I know some Cambodians that are darker than black folks.

Bebop-" That's completely different and you guys are purposely trying to dumb it down to make black people seem paranoid. You are only trying to convince yourselves"

Here's a good example of the paranoia. Yesterday I was listening to a talk radio show and it centered on welfare and other govt programs. A 31 year old lady called in and told her story about her baby-daddy being in prison, working an $8 per hour job, and relying on welfare, foodstamp, an "Obamaphone"(she called it an Obamaphone), housing assitance, and something else to do with her childcare. You could tell she wasn't highly educated by the way she talked, but when asked why she's in her situation her response made my mouth hit the floor. She blamed her situation on Slavery. It shocked the radio host. He was so dumbfounded by the response. By the way she votes Republican which also shock the radio host. I think people have their heads stuck so far in the ground of slavery, that they don't see that if they just applied themselves then they could be successful and that noone is holding them down except themselves.

2 wrongs don't make a right Dawfan...

Dawgfan, she was just a product of her environment. She may have meant it as slavery being the source of that environment. You do have to realize that blacks have only had equality for a little over 40 years in this nation. There are many cases of success during that era but as a majority, they were left with a late start. Not all of them had the education or ambition to succeed. Yes, there are many blacks that come from nothing and become successful, but you can't expect the entire people to be like that.

So let's say in the 60's, a poor black family is given their legal rights with still an insane amount of tension and hatred keeping them from obtaining certain jobs or attending certain schools. When they have kids and those kids aren't ivy league scholars and grow up basically poor since their parents were poor, then what? It's the 80's now. Then those kids, now young adults have kids, but they cant afford to send their kids to college and they are still poor and have received an already terrible education. Then their kids grow up poor and in that environment and end up calling the radio station blaming slavery.

Don't get me wrong, there are many who don't follow this trend and there are many whites and other's that do follow this trend, but you can't expect to see some blacks do well and assume that they all should be doing just as well because it's possible. That's ideal and we don't live in an ideal world. In MANY cases, whites have had homes, businesses, and money passed down for centuries. They raise their kids in those homes, pay for their school since the home is already paid for, die and leave their kids the home to sell, etc. Majority blacks have only had things to pass down for 50 years really, and not a whole lot to pass down either as a people. Oprah has a great success story, but they aren't all Oprah just like all whites aren't Warren Buffett. I am not speaking in absolute right now. I'm just saying, understand where that girl on the radio might have been coming from even though she probably doesn't know how to express it. Appreciate how far blacks in this country have come in such little time. This is too long to proofread so forgive me; I'm at work.

Obama made her do it. Anyway a blackboy by any other name is still a blackboy

No living American has been legally held as a slave. No living American has legally owned slaves. Nobody owes, or is owed, anything.

I'm not PC at all,,so I've never use terms like Native-American, or African-American etc. I just call them Americans.

of course you do!

That issue came up in a school a couple years ago. They had a "African-American" student of the year award and a white kid from South Africa decided to run, and won! He got suspended as I recall. Pretty silly, huh?

I just don't like the whole African-American thing as an identifier. Sure, use it in reference, like I might say "Irish-American" but I really think Black and White works just fine. Also, if you call Blacks who are here from the Caribbean "African-American" you really tick them off. I know this from experience.

Yes you do :)

That term is overused. I understand and respect the origins of it but I'm Canadian and I've heard people refer to me as African American as well as British celebrities who are clearly not American in anyway shape or form. I think non black people usually refer to black ppl this way to avoid being offensive.

I have a black friend who will give you what for if you ever called him an African-American and it had nothing to do with race. He would just point out that he is not from Africa nor are his parents and he has never set foot on the African continent. He, like me, does not believe in any of this hyphenated American crap, you are either American or you are not. He sees African-American as an indication of nationality, not race, so he would probably agree that if you choose to use the hyphenated American crap than you would be an African-American. In his view black is a race, African-American is not.

As for this article, if the teacher used the phrase she is accused of using than she was wrong. That said, it is certainly not something to make a big deal out of and was likely done in response to the way the child addressed her using the wrong name. My guess is the kid did not simply point out the mistake in a polite way, but rather did so in a snide way that prompted the teacher's inappropriate response. As the saying goes there are three sides to every story like this, the teachers side, the kids side, and the truth.

@ Falconear

And the funny thing about Caribbean ppl not liking the term "African American" used towards them is that historically the majority of the slaves that came from Africa were first dumped (and I say dumped bc at that time all we were was cargo) in the Caribbean because thats were they divided up and sold people before sending them off to the US....so in actual fact they are just like the other "African American"...they just took longer to get there.

Oppressed? Really?

I'm sorry, but white people, at least in America, will probably never be oppressed. Perhaps when the numbers turn around and we're an actual minority, that could become possible, but unlikely.

And I think an authority figure calling a person, to his face, by his race, especially when she just learned his name, is wrong.

That's not necessarily true Hambone. During the Potato Famine many Irish came to this country. They were oppressed for a couple of reasons. One because they were Irish and 2 because many were Catholic. Same when the Italians came over.

While their oppression wasn't as drastic as slavery, they were considered very low social status at the time and not able to get decent housing or jobs because of their religions and accents.

Is he black is he a boy. Get a grip

That's a good point, Janine. But it was still other white people who did the oppressing.

No, because it's currently OK to insult white people if you are any other race. We will be stuck in a racist society as long as there are organizations designed to protect one race and not another. Every person should be judged on who they are, not what color they are. When one group gets preferential treatment, it is always at the expense of other groups. Racism can committed by any race.

I'm going to disagree with you there Todd. I don't think its appropriate for ANY race. The teacher should call students by name, and if she forgets the name, then its Student. The teacher picking out the persons race is not appropriate.

What if she was just picking out an identifying feature? If she had called another student "blonde-boy," would it have mattered? I don't know her intent, but an identifying feature is just that.

Because its illogical to think she was talking about his hair.. hate to sound like Spock here, but come on.

TFNJ - " if she forgets the name, then its Student. The teacher picking out the persons race is not appropriate."

So attempting to be more specific is now a crime? If she can't include gender or race, why stop at "student"? How about if she just says primate, or Homo Sapian?

TFNJ- You missed my point. Racists come in all colors. I never said her remark was appropriate. Go to the very top of this column and you will see my initial post.

Well, then the Blueman Group would get upset and that could possibly lead to copyright infringment issues.

Why not call 'em "wheat?"

You got white, you got wheat, and then you got potato. All three kinds of bread. (Potato = Asian... because they're both yellow...)

And before you get bent out of shape, I'm Asian, so I'm allowed to say all the Mellow-Yellow Twinkie Slant stuff I want. But you're not allowed to laugh, or else you're racist.

Asians don't have your Idaho potatoes, dude. Asians have sweat potatoes, they're rustic orange. Get your potatoes right, twinkie :P

'sweet' not 'sweat'. Get your spelling right!

hahaha even that could be considered "racist". Blue is a term people use to describe a really dark black person. Some people's skin is so deeply pigmented that there is actually a blue hue (instead of having red or yellow undertones like most people).

@A E, My spelling was correct, get your criticism correct :P

Why not call 'em "wheat?"

You got white, you got wheat, and then you got potato.

Wouldn't pumpernickel be more appropriate?

As an Irish dude, I think I'd have to call dibs on the potato bread. The Germans can have sourdough. The French can be baguettes.

When you think about it, the bread=nationality thing really has some potential...

I rather like the way an old Master Gunnery Sargent put it to me back in the 70s."There are no black troops in my Corps, there are no white troops in my Corps, or red, or brown. We are all Marine Green!

Can I have an "U-rah!"......

I think sweat potatoes would be kind of gross.

If you had to pick potatoes on a farm all day, you'd call them sweat potatoes too.

Jim: U-raah!

Can I have an "U-rah!"......

What does "U-rah" translate to in English? Does it mean, "Hooray for undifferentiated conformity, mindless obedience, and violence"?

"U-rah" translates into "I'm not a sissy afraid to get my hands dirty doing the work that most people don't have the intestinal fortitude to do." It's nearly synonymous with "Hooah."

Semper fidelis.

LOL and probably the truth

Two stupid rednecks, you 2 are most likely "tea-baggers".

I think being in the area they mention in this article I doubt he would have said anything like that I imagine he is but 1 of a few children of color in the entire school. She was having a bad day and didn't appriciate being correct by the child. But being flippant doesn't solve anything it just makes you look like a complete a$$*ole and she was still WRONG.

MCR....ass-u-me

@MCR-4250086 Lighten up dude, I bet if I said this on BET or Comedy Central you be laughing your arse off.

MCR that was a racist comment... The term redneck is a derogatory term for a farmer where they work outdoors and the back of their necks burned while weeding their fields.... as a farmer I think you need to take sensitivity training.

MSNBC would never take comments out of context to get an emotional reaction out of simple-minded sheep would they? well, except for that one time when they edited the Zimmerman 911 call for exactly that reason... other than that they report reality. (sarcasm)

Can't MSNBC get by for a day without a half dozen race baiting stories. Enough already. We live in a country with 350 million people and people make remarks ever day that others can interpret in different ways. And of course the NAACP and black leaders were astonished, that's what they learned to do to get attention during the Lydon Johnson days and have never stopped since.

Jerry - Democrats are desperate so expect a deluge of race baiting and wealthy hating headlines from now through November.

Teachers aren't just flippant, they are poorly trained. If you don't pay people well you get the dregs -- thanks Republicans again.

SKYLER1206 You are so right. everybody needs to give it all a break. African/American this, African/American that. I have a friend from so. Africa and he is as white as snow. this boy and quite a few generations back are from the good old USA. This would be like calling me Irish/American. it has been a few generations. The boy may have deserved such a name calling. Don't always blame the white person. I am sure it would be ok if the black student called another student a "Cracker". Only racist when it white comment to a black. Our society is goint to hell in a hand basket.

If you don't vote for obama...you are a racist!

How is that? He's half white half black. The only people that could be racist towards him are asians and hispanics, but we all know that neither of those groups could ever be racist. Just us Crackers are racist.

Its because of stupid comments like the one from SprtstrXLCH that this continues to be an issue.

Grow up

I was raised in a sweet little country city,and was surrounded by those of different races..we created play houses out of sticks,laughed at each other,slapped each other on the backs and called each other names..even in high school..I had a black nanny..etc, etc, etc, I felt my heart sink after noticing that name calling was turning into a court battle..not only did we call each other all kinds of names, but blacks are well known for some really unkind names that they label those of their own race..maybe someone should sort of mention that.....I have no right to turn completely against someone for a mistake I may well have made myself,no matter which race I am referring to..this appears to be something else to me..just call me HONKEY, or WHITE CRACKER..I'm ok with it..you can take my word for that..PEACE OUT.

If the teacher was of color and the child white then YES I am sure there would have been an equal amount of uproar unfortunatly of late it has been the opposite, we as people need to control our own behavior and learn tollerance for all on all levels not just when it suits you per say.

The issue isn't "white boy" or "black boy"; it's that the teacher immediately used "black boy" instead of trying to address the child by his correct name. Yes, if that happened to a white child, I'd be equally upset. Perhaps it's not "racism" per se, but it's certainly lazy & ignorant.

Get real, if the teacher was black and she called someone "white boy", no one would ever hear about it. The media only reports stories they think will stir the pot. And that stirring almost always goes in the same direction.

Get real, if the teacher was black and she called someone "white boy", no one would ever hear about it. The media only reports stories they think will stir the pot. And that stirring almost always goes in the same direction.

Even if it did make the news nobody would care.

If you are judged by color creed or religion , then yes it can be considered racist no one knows how the child replied to her that is left out in the article it simply states that the child corrected her on it and I believe it offended the teacher to be correct by a child why else would they suspend her if it was not serious they would have NOT suspended her but I tend to believe it was heard by all which can make it racist if just you and the accusor are present then is it racist? Just harder to prove.

ashleyaddams, please look up the definition of 'racism'. Your statement shows a great ignorance on your part. First of all, discrimination based upon religion could in no way be construed as racism. That would qualify as bigotry. Even more, most actions that have the word 'racism' thrown at them today much more qualify as bigotry as well. Racism, by definition, is the belief that a race of people are inherrantly inferior. Simply not liking a culture of people does not immediatly imply that someone is racist. Them believing that the race of people were born into this world bad and have absolutely no chance of anything more is racist.

It was completely unacceptable. This is not being overly sensitive or PC. I pray your special son's teachers never treated him the way you think it was acceptable for this poor kid to be treated. The kid was humiliated in front of the entire class for having the audacity to want his name said correctly.

You DON'T inject race, any race, when you are addressing a student. Period. End of story. What is wrong with you people?! Hopeless...just hopeless.

Perhaps you're correct in that the teacher should have been more careful. However, I do believe we have completely gone way beyond where we should be with Political Correctness. If that little boy were missing and flyers went out describing him, it would certainly identify his skin color in addition to his height, weight, eye color and other features. We would not just put out a flier that says "Boy missing, height 4 foot, 9 in, 100 lbs. Call 888-888-8888 if you see him."

As a parent, I would not be concerned about my kid being identified as the "white boy over there", and it's quite possible that it will happen in my township here in central NJ as there are more Asian, Indian-Asian and other "minorities" than WASP-y looking kids in my son's classrooms. If they said that "retarded white boy over there", I'd probably pitch a fit about the "retarded", but id'ing him as white, no. Why is "black" such a negative identifier?

C NJ Mom, he's not being described as a Black Boy, he is being called Black Boy as if that's his name. There's a difference.

To use your son as an example, and with all due respect to him, someone describing as an Autism Boy would be ok. But someone yelling out "Hey Autism Boy" when calling him would be innapropriate.

...hahaha...TFNJ, your comparison is hilarious. Basically, you just equated being Black with having a form of retardation such as Autism. How does it feel to be such a blatant racist?

J/K... Just an example of how overly sensitive we have become. I knew what you meant, but that exact same thing could have been written in any news article or said by a person of authority and it would have been spun into the context that I used as an example.

No Noah, read her first post. She brought that up as an example,so I just gave her a different version. How would I know her son had a condition? She said calling someone a name that describes who they are should be ok. I gave her a scenario that I'm hoping she sees would NOT be ok.

I apologize. In my haste to skim through your post, I failed to comprehend exactly what you were saying. Oh well...a good joke and lesson is now wasted. Thanks a lot, TFNJ! ;)

Oh I knew how you meant it, and got the joke. But I didn't want NJ Mom or anyone else to think I was trying to be insulting.

Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your joke. lol

Hey autistic boy, sit down! Sound like something you would be cool with?

I did not even bother reading every post. I just don't want to be upset by it all. But I will say, if someone called me "black girl"......in a sarcastic way, YES I would be upset. I would NEVER call a white guy or girl " white boy or white girl....unless we are totally close and it was some sort of running joke we had amongst ourselves. This teacher obviously has some racial or perhaps other personal issues that she needs to come to grips with and work through. Anyone who knows me personally, knows that my friends come in ALL colors :) I totally just love ppl... I dont give a rats ass what color they are. But I also know that blacks in America and the world in general are certainly treated with less respect and for some reason, ppl hate on us more than they hate on others! But hey, what can you do about it. Bottom line is... I dont think she should lose her job, but I do think she needs to put away whatever animosity she has towards blacks or perhaps just the kids that she is teaching, in general. OR.. move on to a job that she is better suited for. one where she doesnt have to "hold her tongue" lol.... jeesh I tell ya.... life, ppl, ect, its a trip.

You're totally right and not insanely over reacting at all. Nope, not one bit.

Excuse me while I do whatever the forum equivalent is of backing away slowly and getting as far from you as possible while rolling my eyes.

Yes Mark, I know I am right. Roll your eyes all you want. Could care less

oh hell.

agreed, not sure why this is even news worthy

It was better than calling him the N word.

By the way people are acting, it might as well have been.

This is a bunch of bull@!$%#. Period. Blacks say "white boy" all the time and I never hear all this nonsense i'm hearing then.

So i'm assuming that every black that uses the phrase "white boy" is racist and a bigot, right?