Help me out here: which category does this story fall under:
- School administrator incompetence?
- Warped community ethical standards?
- Racial quotas run amuck?
- Evidence of human devolution?
- Proof that time travel is real?
I’m not sure. I do know that when a memo like this one is issued by a school principal, indicating that class officers for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are restricted by race, there had better be a lot of firing going on, really soon, up and down the entire school system and maybe the town government as well, because the people in charge must not be trusted for one more second to have anything to do with educating American children.
The memo by principal Russell Taylor shows that Nettleton (Miss.) Middle School elections are divided between offices restricted on the basis of race to black or white students, depending on the office. (Apparently Asian students and any other racial group are out of luck. Maybe they can be the Sergeant at Arms or Parliamentarians.) The document was handed out to every student in the school’s sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, laying out the racial requirements for each of four class officer spots (president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and reporter). One parent whose child got this jaw-dropping document passed it on to The Smoking Gun website. Various questions leap to mind: Why didn’t every parent protest? How long has this been going on? What the heck is the matter with Nettleton, Mississippi?
And is there any lower limit at all to the competence and judgment of school administrators in this country?
I can answer that last question, at least: Yes.
And this is it.
___________
Update: The policy at Nettleton Middle School has officially been changed. In his statement, the principal explains that the current system has been in place for 30 years, was originally established with good intentions (of course) and apparently this was the first time anyone seriously objected to it. Which only raises more questions, like:
- They tolerated this in 1980? 1990? 2000? Really?
- Will this disgraceful incident finally show affirmative action advocates how that policy leads to outright racism?
- Why does Russell Taylor still have a job?
- Why does anyone in the Nettleton School District still have a job?
- What the heck is the matter with Nettleton, Mississippi?
[Thanks to reader Michael Jordan for letting me know about this and providing a link, even though it has ruined my day.]
Ethics Alarms 
WTF!
Well put.
Your pic looks like someone who knows more than 3 words >>> and these 3 words >>> its your choice > right > we live in America > so likewise, we can say and do pretty much what we _____ _____ ______> I can almost here you comment>
“Why The Face”?
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Hey, it’s Mississippi, what do you expect…
I wouldn’t expect this in South Africa in 2010; I certainly don’t expect it in Mississippi.
Or maybe Boston.
Yes——maybe Boston. Sad but true.
I apologize for the snark. I think this is just plain wrong.
I expect a much, much more>>>thank goodness that mother from Miss did for her 4 children and she did something about it >>> Many blessings to her and her family, for generations to come>>>
Mississippi does it and its racism. The federal government does it and its Affirmative Action.
That’s about right. But at least the Feds aren’t so blatant about it.
Are you confused? You must have attended NMS.
No Im not confused. What this school did is horrible and wrong but Affirmitive Action is discrimination based on race. There is no way to deny that and anyone who does is fooling themselves.
Affirmative action is a euphemism for racial quotas, race-based hiring, and many other phrases that more accurately describe using race rather than objective qualifications to assign jobs, promotions, school admissions, appointments to high office, etc. Bill is right: it is a form of discrimination, and always has been so. There have been substantive utilitarian arguments for permitting it, but it is still discrimination, by definition.
Jack, Do we know if this story, as reported on “The Smoking Gun” website is accurate? I am wondering if this could be a hoax? Have you tried to confirm with the school district to see if the principal, as claimed, actually distributed this memo to students? It would be very easy for someone to generate a spurious, but authentic-looking, memo, and get it up on websites. My hunch is that numerous teachers, parents, administraors would know that such a policy would be blatantly illegal. Maybe this story is accurate. But I don’t see enough confirmation of the alleged facts, at this point. Chip Deffaa.
I wish.
1) The Smoking Gun is very reliable 2) The principal has issued a statement that the policy is being reconsidered—as if that changes anything—3) MSNBC is reporting it now as well. 4) In another report, apparently the school manual describes other honors that are handed out by race.
I had a similar thought, like maybe these were “working groups” and group “White” were some kind of committee and group “Black” had certain responsibilities.
You’d figure if it was some type of affirmative action, they’d give a black kid a chance to be president at some point in the 3 years.
It’s almost too stupid to be true. I really think there’s some part of the story that is missing.
Nettleton School District Media Statement
http://www.nettletonschools.com/programs.cfm?subpage=362714
———————–
“Student elections have not yet been held at Nettleton Middle School for the 2010-2011 school term. The processes and procedures for student elections are under review. We are reviewing the origin of these processes, historical applications, compliance issues, as well as current implications
and ramifications. A statement will be released when review of these processes is complete.”
Thank You
Superintendent
Russell Taylor
——————
Thanks for the link. But how much “review” does a policy this offensive and stupid require? “Wow—what a stupid policy! What were we thinking?” End of review.
We have made so many race relations strives in this country in the last 10 to 15 years. This is a travesty and a shame that the children of Nettelton Middle School have to endure the ignorance of those in authority over them. My prayer is that common sense, decency and respect for the education of our young people will prevail over, obvious, century-old or longer racism. This is a clear indication that there is still work to do when it comes to the races. This is ashame to read this in 2010.
I have no better explanation. Still, I am at a loss to explain how anyone with the credentials and presumed literacy to be a school administrato could be this isolated from law, culture and history.
You are assuming that intentions here were other than legitimate?
Did everyone attend this school > apparently no one read a thing before it was sign, sealed and delivered? People & Parents check the diplomas!!!
I am HORRIFIED. I can’t believe this has been going on for 30 years and nobody has spoken up before now?? And only white people get to be President … did they alternate years, at least? Disgusting.
I too am horrified. My comment about Boston was made to point out the myth that the “South” and places like Mississippi are cauldrons of racism and some how it changes when you go north. The most racist violent people I have ever met were from Boston. The south doesn’t have a monopoly on it.
Michael Jordan reads your blog!?
Sorry, but how many times can we all comment and say “Well, that’s a terrible policy. That should be changed by yesterday.” This one’s just a shame.
No, this is not the first time this has been addressed; but small towns have a way of covering things up from the decision maker/policy enforcer at the state level to local school administration. Any time some speak up against the policies, you are branded a troublemaker. So many times we have called local tv news and radio talk shows, but when those people contact the schools, the administrations always find a way to make things swing in their favor.
How? How does someone swing something like this in their favor? For 30 years?