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Warren family
Jeffrey Warren found out on senior awards night that he was the winner of a scholarship meant for African-American students.
No big deal.
That's how 17-year-old Jeffrey Warren describes his decision to return a $1,000 college scholarship meant for black students.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do,” says Warren, who is white.
His decision is winning him praise for his character – and offers of alternate financial help.
A hush, followed by some giggles, enveloped the Martin Luther King High School gym in Riverside, Calif., when it was announced on senior awards night that Warren was the winner of the scholarship awarded by the local Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club.
The $1,000 scholarship, one of two awarded annually by the seniors club, is meant for African-American students. Club members didn’t know Warren is white until he rose to receive the award.
“We just couldn’t believe it at the outset. It was really something. There was a mixed feeling in the crowd,” recalled Etta Brown, chairwoman of the club’s scholarship committee, of the May 22 ceremony.
“People were surprised. Laughter started to come up from crowd,” Warren said. “They still shook my hand, they still said ‘thank you.’”
After some contemplation, Warren and his parents decided to return the scholarship. They sent an email the next day informing the MLK senior citizens club of the decision.
Warren Family / Warren family
Jeffrey Warren and his mom Frances Warren on graduation night.
“They said they would accept it back. They were very nice about it. They thanked me for being generous and for being a great kid,” Warren told msnbc.com on Tuesday.
“Jeffrey and I wanted them to be happy,” Rod Warren, who teaches language arts at the high school, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise, which first reported on the episode. “The ladies were trying to do something really nice.”
The scholarship application itself stated only that African-Americans were “encouraged” to apply. Warren applied online and apparently never saw a separate letter sent to school counselors specifying that it was for black students.
Some club members felt Jeffrey should be allowed to keep the scholarship, Brown told msnbc.com. “It was a very thoughtful decision between his family and himself that they would not accept it,” she said.
“I think it says a lot for his character and it says a lot of the character for the family,” said King High School Principal Darel Hansen.
“This was not something the school or school district asked him to do. He in our opinion won the award in good faith though there was a mix-up.”
Jeffrey’s scholarship was later awarded to a runner-up -- a female African-American student.
Watch the most-viewed videos on msnbc.com
Organizations using private money, like the MLK seniors club, are allowed to set their own eligibility criteria for scholarships they grant.
Brown said the club’s scholarship committee will meet to revise the language on the application to clarify it's for African-American students so there’s no misunderstanding in the future.
Warren won’t be totally lacking in financial help for college. Rod Warren told the Press-Enterprise his son applied for 27 scholarships and also won three others, two for $2,000 each and another $500 scholarship.
Hansen told msnbc.com that since the story made local headlines, several people have contacted the school “asking where they could send a check to make a donation to Jeffrey.”
Several teachers also showed up at his graduation party at his home on Saturday and presented him with an envelope with $351 in cash donations collected from school staff.
Warren said he plans to attend San Diego State University in the fall where he will major in English or business, or both. He says he wants to teach, like his dad.
Brown thinks he has a bright future ahead.
“He’s a really neat student,” Brown said. “He deserved it (the scholarship). Martin Luther King would say he did everything right.”
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This fine young man who did the right thing should be an inspiration to us all.
As for some of the racist comments on this post concerning white only scholarships:
Many private colleges and universities have a "Legacy" program.
I am sure GW didn't get in to Yale based on his academic achievements.
In my opinion all racial based scholarships should be abolished. Students should be judged on merit,and academic performance.
I find that both Caucasian and African American races are guilty of racism . You can't go anywhere with out hearing a African American uttering the "N" word . I really hate that word.It's demeaning and derogatory.Please people this is not a cute word to say to one another. I did ask why African Americans say this word to each other.All had the same answer. It gives them a since of brotherhood. WHY? That's kind of stupid and in my opinion, racist.You want to have equality,you got it.I am of a different generation than your grand father. I am not to blame for what happened in the past.Why should we (all other races other than African American) Be excluded from scholarships simply because we are not of that race. There is no such thing as reverse racism. Either you are a racist or not. The very same people that scream about racism are some of the most racist in my opinion,by drawing attention to the fact that a certain person is of a different race than yourself. There are reasons why people come in different colors and it's not the quality of the person , it's the climate they came from. My point is .... I am tired of being blamed and shamed because of something that happened hundreds of years in the past. Let the racial crap die please.We are all a little fed up with it.
This makes me sick. Had that been my son, he would have kept that scholarship!
Don't blame you. Wasn't it MLK that preached "equality" after all? This sure didn't sound like equality when the scholarship app said African Americans only are "encouraged" to apply.
There is two standards for everyone and a list of exceptions for each of them a mile long. If it is in your best interests it is culture it is pride it is heritage it is custom it is tradition it is... The list of things to justify so many wrongs goes on.
I been trying to apply for one of those white trash Irish scholarships, just can't find one though.
I wonder what would happen if there was a scholarship aimed at white students? You could bet Sharpie and Jesse would be screaming their heads off. And the word "encouraged" to apply is just another word for "we want a black to apply. I also wonder if a black would have returned the money if it had been for a scholarship for a white person who was "encouraged" to apply. In fact, I wonder what would happen if someone started a scholarship for a white person. Anyone got any answers to that one question?
they tried to stop it...but no go since it is privately funded, hahaha
I do find it somewhat ironic that the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club has determined that the 'color of this young man's skin' was more important than the 'content of his character'. MLK Jr. would be SO proud...
Why do we need to have things for any one race or ethnic origin. We need to drop the African, Irish, Italian, or what ever you put in front of American, WE NEED to just be AMERICANS and get a long. He should of kept it because things should not be based on skin color, and if it is OK that things are then we go back to the whites only signs in businesses and to the back of the bus, this is not what we need, we need to unite as AMERICANS!!
Charles the Hammerhead.....if you want to consider yourself as African have at it bud.
It is great to live in a country where everyone is pointing the finger at everyone else and calling them racist.
Folks....wake up. Everyone discriminates, everyone. And everyone has been the recipient of discrimination, which is a dehumanizing experience at best.
Anyone that says they do not discriminate or judge is a full fledged liar. Honesty, open mindedness, and tolerance takes lots of practice. And I prefer to PRACTICE over being a hateful bigot.
I full short on many occasions....but I certainly do not want to be a bitter old man, whether white, black, latin, or asian or whatever else you use to make yourselves unique and special victims.
Get over it and be part of the human race. Sure there are some difference, but you will find the similarities outweight the differences by far.
"beauty pageants for whites only: Miss Italian American, Miss Irish American, etc... Those are only for white people." Well nutgrape you can add yourself to the list of the ignorant if you think that there are no Black Italian or Black Irish. Just think, your probably one of those who says Obama is the first black president even though he is Mulatto...................talk about ignorant idiots on the Internet. I once heard a person tell my best friends wife there was no such thing as a Black European, funny thing was his wife was born in England where he entire family was from and they were "English" but very Black. Your claim of those alleged pageants being for whites only as you posted is a bunch of gibberish as well. There are no race restrictions if you would actually take 2 seconds of your time to do some actual research. Unlike the Black beauty pageants that state you have to be Black or African American or in other words, race restricted to Black skin only backs up what many people have posted on this thread. Most of your "so called White Beauty Pageants" only require that you have a grandparent who was born or from the original country or that your heritage can be traced back to that country. This means that if your from Italy and you marry a Black woman and have a child who grows up guess what? She can enter the Mrs. Italian American Beauty pageant. Same scenario if your jumping off the boat from Ireland and you have the same situation where you marry a black woman or man and you have a daughter who decides to run in the Mrs. Irish American Beauty Pageant. You see Nutgrape, when you have "White Skin" in America you CANNOT restrict anything to exclusive skin color because you will be branded a racist organization. period. The ACLU and the many Black equality racist pigs will attack you and simply beat you into submission and sue you to the point where you cannot fund a bowl of soup for the winner of the pageant because your a racist organization. Now, I am being very very sarcastic with you but that is due to your response and obvious ignorance upon the subject. As I stated, I have 2 boys who are Mulatto and I deal with these racist pigs almost every day of my life. BET, UNNCF etc, etc, etc.... The racist pigs in America are so hell bent on creating a racist war the media even lied about Zimmerman being white so they could create a "white on black" shooting. Even after NBC was caught red handed editing the 911 recording to make Zimmerman appear as the racist he never was, there is still a rather large following of racist pigs still calling this innocent man guilty for defending himself after the only eye witness who seen the actual attack and young Trayvon Martin on top of Zimmerman beating his face with his fists before being shot, even though the eds who were sent to Florida by order of Eric Holder to attempt to protect the idiot of a president we have for picking sides and adding to racial tensions already created by the media to help get Americas eyes off of his failures, even after the Feds reported the original finding conducted by the police department that was in charge and also backing up Zimmerman's claims, let me ask you, Do you still support the racist pigs in this case? Hey man, it's simple, I call people what they are and if they get upset for me calling them a racist pig when the show fits, tough crap. Get over your problem because it effects many more people than just your own personal hang up over the tone and color of skin. What a pathetic bunch of people.
Ah, the 'soft bigotry of lowered expectations.' How embarrassing for the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club that they accidently judged someone by the content of his character. Wait. What?
I remember a friend of mine had an issue with this like 10 years ago when we were juniors i HS. He wasn't as wealthy as other white kids in the community and felt it was wrong there wasn't a scholarship for him too. I just shook my head in confusion and I'm reading a lot of posts with ppl doing the same thing. It's like a bunch of kids fighting over every toy and you just can't share them. there are a million scholarships and absolutely nothing wrong for some to go to black kids because god knows they need them. It doesn't have to be justified by a bunch of arrogant and naive ppl. These scholarships have criteria that include maintaining gpa, giving back to the community, etc. And financial aid depends on household income, etc.
If the government felt the need for this and everyone allowed it then why is there something wrong with it. It can't be any worse then what is going on in the public school systems right now. It's funny how everyone wants to bitch about their own personal agenda though, isn't it.
These scholarships are intended to help people that need it the most, could use it the most and can get the most out of it. The upper level guys make sure it goes in to the right hands. If they receive a scholarship then they rightfully earned it. People get more for a lot less all the time. Just ask your neighbor.
Public schools are tax funded and not allowed to discriminate, this award had no place being presented in a school function. I feel it is wrong and violates every students rights and dismisses their hard work based on skin color alone.
That's really funny because teachers will tell you themselves, they do wth they want when it comes to their classroom. They can use their discretion and discriminate all they want. It works best dealing with children who don't know any better. Doesn't mean it's right but it is nature. People always have favorites. And what is the point when it's nothing serious and dramatic enough to change a kids life. This is just a feel good award. Just like in the article the kid got a bunch of other scholarships. And he could have been in trouble for lying on the application. He is lucky the award was still able to go to someone else. If he did some research he would find a bunch of scholarships meeting the requirements more then many other students. He could get a full ride scholarship if he applied to them correctly and met the criteria. A kid gets an award. Be happy.
If it were a black kid receiving a white's only scholarship, you can bet he would have kept it. After all, it's his right! Oh, wait, there are no white's only scholarships!
While the scholarship has noble intentions and the boy is certainly honorable for returning it I dont think this is at all a warm fuzzy story. In these modern times isnt it just a little inappropriate to give a racially biased scholarship???? It should not even be permitted but I guess that will only come to true test when a caucasian only scholarship comes to light. Racism will always thrive when we have double standards even under the best of intentions
The school counselors should have said thank you NO! The requirement the student be black is racists. I would bet if I called up and said not only do I have a scholarship for a white student only I want to present it presented at graduation I would be hung up on. The school should not have allowed an award that is based on race to be awarded at a school function.
IT IS WRONG in on so many levels. Discrimination against every other race and student just because they are not black. Schools should at the very least not allow these scholarships to be awarded at school functions.
It would be funny if the black student they end up giving the scholarship to says, "no thanks, i don't need it, give it to whitey".
My daughter in 3rd grade went to an awards ceremony where 5th graders were given trophies for academic achievement-she said I want to win that and she worked hard - straight A's and participated in all extracurriculum activities as that was part of winning the award. She is white- when 5th grade award was announced- she was left out - all her teachers were black and they gave the trophy to a black student that participated in nothing - was a constant discipline problem and really did not earn it. My daughter was given an honor certificate in every subject- won the 4H speech award for the school- first girl to win math league contest- now you say that my daughter was a white privileged person - no, I worked 2 jobs and went to school - we had no car -no child support and we had to walk to all the extracurriculum activities - when my wait staff job was slow - we had to use the food bank - also, my daughter was recovering from being the victim of a crime -our circumstances were sad- the black girl's family drove a cadillac- lived in an affluent part of town and both parents were professional people - when I confronted the principal of the school and said this girl did not earn it - it was based on academics- participation and citizenship and this girl clearly did not win it on participation or citizenship - she was a bully and constantly hit other students - I was told they did not make her meet those standards because participating and being a good citizen would make her a target of her black friends that would think she was acting too white - I am not lying - the principal did actually say that -I akded why could they have not shared the award since they wanted a black student to have it - they said they never considered my daughter - top student in her class in all subjects and participation and having to overcome great odds to do all this - yes, black people in this country have suffered - but suffering does not always make people good people -
I don't know about" keeping the money and run" But i do think he should have kept the scholarship.
Did not Dr. King preach about a world of equality?
I truly believe that scholarships, etc. should not being given out on the basis of one's race.
If I was the runner up I would not have accepted it but would have given it back to him.
I wish this youg man nothing but good things for the rest of his life.
I wonder if it would have been a scholarship for "white's only" would a black student given the money back without claiming racism?? This kid should had been allowed to keep the money as he won it on merit not color. Its funny how some African Americans are always complaining about racism but they are they black only scholarships, black dating sites, black groups only...etc... and if it was a white's only anything they would sue!
just my opinion
I cannot believe the state, the school district, and those little ladies ...support racism.
A job well done to the mother.This youngman will go a long way in life.!!!!!!!!!!
Reverse discrimination...that's so wrong..I think I will start a scholarship fund myself for the most gifted white student each year, and yes, I can afford to. Also, there should be Miss White America, Miss White Universe, Mr White Universe and so on....Martin Luther King Jr preached equality between the different races...too bad the blacks don't understand that...they pick and choose what the great man said...not the whole in it's entirety. Martin Luther King Jr was a great man with a great vision.
Ah, the 'soft bigotry of lowered expectations.'
How embarrassing for the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club that they accidently judged someone by the content of his character. Wait. What?