"RACINE — A local mother is 'appalled' that a Racine Unified
elementary school teacher allegedly called her son 'racist' but she has
so far not talked with the teacher about the incident.
"Instead, Breann Hooser has spoken about it with district
officials, transferred her son to a different Unified school, contacted
local media and called for the teacher’s removal from the classroom.
Hooser has also asked legislators to revise state laws to make
educators’ personnel records public.
“'I’m very concerned we’re not allowed to know what
happens with the teachers. I’m appalled this teacher did not lose any
work,' said Hooser, 32, of Racine, a stay-at-home mom. 'I don’t know if
she was talked to, if she was reprimanded, if she was suspended.'
"The incident in question happened on March 23 at Knapp
Elementary School, 2701 17th St., when Hooser’s fourth-grade son, who is
white, completed a class assignment by writing, 'I like country music
because I’m a redneck hillbilly,' Hooser said.
"The teacher, who is black, then told the boy in front of the class that 'redneck' was racist against black people, Hooser said.
“'To us, it’s a family joke,' Hooser said, explaining they
use the term 'redneck' to make fun of themselves for being 'country.' 'It wasn’t meant to be offensive.'”
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ReplyDeleteREDNECK comes from the sunburn a poor white laborer would get from being outside and doing... manual labor.
ReplyDeleteNO matter who applies it, it is derogatory towards White people -
HOWEVER, most White people aren't oversensitive, and some take it as a matter of pride.
I have worked for Farmers, so you City People will never get it. In construction, it was 40 on the check - cash at straight time for the other MANDATORY hours - usually 6 days a week, 10 hour min. days. I also worked on a Dairy Farm - where most of the machinery was broken and manual labor was applied - I ran silage to the barn via 4 plastic 5-gallon buckets by hand, shoveled manure and ran it with a wheelbarrow, split wood by hand, ran water in 2 5 gallon buckets at a time.
White boy Cheezeheads who learned farm work ethics are valued and prized for their strength, persistence, and being willing to work long hours. The boss prized us REDNECKS above the others because of that.
It's only Racist if it's used that way - just like Black people call each other the N word - but White people aren't suppoused to say it.
IF the child takes pride in being a Redneck - it's fine with me! The Teacher WAS WRONG! Being a Redneck is part of poor White labor culture - and a point of pride indicating work ethic. Leave the child alone.
You are opening a can of worms here, Orbs.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Google "Redneck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda, FL" I can assure you this is not a racist group of people...they are racers...yep, four wheelers in the mud...Racers, yes, racist, nope...not by any stretch.
I think this teacher needs to be educated. And I think she needs to be called on this treatment of this child. This is crazy.
TSE, Yes, you are right...
ReplyDeleteTSE, I removed a comment where I decided perhaps I shouldn't mention how the black population uses two sets of rules when it comes to derogatory labels. One for them and one of the rest of the people in the world. I am not a racist; never have been...but stuff like this makes my head hurt.
No, 'Redneck' is not a derogatory term.
Perhaps that teacher needs some sensitivity training so she does not offend the true rednecks by stating such hogwash.
Way to go Orbs, put it out there for discussion. I am repulsed with the 2 standards that exist in our press and society.
ReplyDeleteWords are only whispers in the wind,
Actions speak louder than words and either build or destroy by intended or unintended consequences.
Childhood rymes are taught for a reason.
Remember: Sticks and Stones......
We now live in a world of panzies, so toughen up !!!
Don't some group people into catagories? Whether they wear a suit, take a lunch bucket to work, wear cowboy boots, Wear high heels, or tennies to work, wear a uniform? I think everyone has a mind set as to which group people belong to. Mine was a redneck was trailer trash..or when I was in the mood..ME. LOL Redneck was a joke. People are getting way too sensitive. If someone calls you a bad name, be proud! Not everyone can be one. Again LOL
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of lunch buckets...did I just refer to how old I am? ANOTHER LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think the race card is too easy to play. We need to not be so sensitive. The teacher could have used this situation as a learning tool; instead, she chose to address it, in what sounds like an angry fashion. Of course we only know what is being said after the fact. It sound to me like the story has been embellished by both sides.
ReplyDeleteKids don't understand racism whether they are black or white. It is just as confusing to adults. Why must we continue to hate? It serves no valuable purpose.
There are plenty of African American children that call me mom. It is how you treat someone, whether there is respect for them as a person that counts. Cultures can be very different, but color is only skin deep.
The hardest work I know is farm work.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider "redneck" to be racist. I never have. The negative connotations of the word have been erased by the self-deprecating humor of self-proclaimed rednecks.
kk, children have to be taught racism...we aren't born with it....and in my opinion, that's what this teacher was doing.
ReplyDelete