NationStates Jolt Archive

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.
GALESBURG, Illinois (AP) -- Caisha Gayles graduated with honors last month, but she is still waiting for her diploma. The reason: the whoops of joy from the audience as she crossed the stage.

Gayles was one of five students denied diplomas from the lone public high school in Galesburg after enthusiastic friends or family members cheered for them during commencement.

About a month before the May 27 ceremony, Galesburg High students and their parents had to sign a contract promising to act in dignified way. Violators were warned they could be denied their diplomas and barred from the after-graduation party.
Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. In Galesburg, the issue has taken on added controversy with accusations that the students were targeted because of their race: four are black and one is Hispanic. Parents say cheers also erupted for white students, and none of them was denied a diploma.What are the odds?

:mad::mad:

LAWSUIT!!!!!!!!

That's not right...the school should just give them the F*ckin Diploma

:mad::mad:

I recommend the administrators be fired and have all degrees and diplomas they are in possession of revoked, consigning them to a life of manual labor or asking if people want fries with that, and explaining that they should act in a dignified manner or they may deny them their Whopper.

Unbelievable.

If there was ever a time for celebration, a graduation is it. I honestly can't see how they could legally withold the diplomas...unless they are simply refusing to hand over the paper itself.

I'd have been boned (you know, except that I'm a cracker), the band went nuts when I walked, and they have some crazy loud noise makers.

What the fuck determines a 'dignified manner'? Did the families throw their underwear on the stage or something?

How the hell does it make a difference to anything if somebody cheers as you go on stage?

I didn't know you needed to have a quiet family in order to graduate in America. Very strange.

Ah...they are officially graduated, they just don't get the little piece of paper to hang.

That still sucks ass...but less.

Also:

School officials in Galesburg, a working-class town of 34,000 that is still reeling from the 2004 shutdown of a 1,600-employee refrigerator factory, said the get-tough policy followed a 2005 commencement where hoots, hollers and even air horns drowned out much of the ceremony and nearly touched off fights in the audience when the unruly were asked to quiet down.

"Lots of parents complained that they could not hear their own child's name called," said Joel Estes, Galesburg's assistant superintendent. "And I think that led us to saying we have to do something about this to restore some dignity and honor to the ceremony so that everyone can appreciate it and enjoy it."
This policy didn't come out of nowhere.

Comment by ACLU:
American Civil Liberties Union spokesman Edward Yohnka said Galesburg's policy raises no red flags as long as it is enforced equitably. "It's probably well within the school's ability to control the decorum at an event like this," he said.

Principal Tom Chiles said administrators who monitored the more than 2,000-seat auditorium reported only disruptions they considered "significant," and all turned in the same five names.

"Race had absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever," Chiles said. "It is the amount of disruption at the time of the incident."

What are the odds of ALL the monitors turning in the SAME names and ignoring other disruptions when white kids went up? Well, okay...maybe they're all racist pricks...but I kind of doubt it.

Unbelievable.

If there was ever a time for celebration, a graduation is it. I honestly can't see how they could legally withold the diplomas...unless they are simply refusing to hand over the paper itself.

I look forward to the lawsuits.

According to the article, the students can have their diplomas after they do 8 hours of public service for the school district, which means that there probably won't be any lawsuits. I guarantee you, though, if it were my kid and we couldn't afford to file a suit, I'd tell him to find a way to stick it to the school district. Take a shit in a box of books or something.

The School admins were being stupid, but I think the parents were also stupid.

"Lots of parents complained that they could not hear their own child's name called," said Joel Estes, Galesburg's assistant superintendent. "And I think that led us to saying we have to do something about this to restore some dignity and honor to the ceremony so that everyone can appreciate it and enjoy it."

So, stupid admins + Stupid Parents = this crazy shit.

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.


Where the hell is all of this stupid coming from lately?

One of the stupid pipes under the US must be leaking...

Have to agree with Cannot think of a name. Since when is cheering not dignified???

And I would've been screwed too - my family convinced a rather large and loud family nearby to cheer when I crossed the stage to get my diploma.

Finally: um, those students were not the ones who broke the contract, so they cannot be held for breach of contract. *smacks forehead*

i wasn't going to go to my graduation ceremony (got my results the other day, i passed, yay!), but this has changed my mind. someone better cheer me when i go up on stage, the more raucus the better.

What a stupid solution. I fully understand and agree with the administrators' goal of avoiding disruptive behavior during the ceremony, but denying the students their diplomas because audience members were rowdy is ridiculously unfair.

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.

Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. What are the odds?

Hmmppff....
I am torn.
One the one hand these simple minded fucks who whoop and hollar were duely warned what the possible consequences could be...and didnt care.

On the other hand, of the all the kids you are going to fuck with...you pick the ones who graduate?!?

I dont know.

Ahhh!!!!Eureka.
Disturbing the Peace citations by a police officer on the spot. They can use a camera and assigned seating. My wifes Phi Theta Kappa event had limited seating. So these highschools can limit seating and then no matter what the audience does the student is not under threat of this asisnine rule...and with a video camera IF racial bias is present...it will be clear.

Give the kids their diplomas...I mean I agree jackasses acting like jackasses sucks...but its their diploma...THIER DIPLOMA.

Have to agree with Cannot think of a name. Since when is cheering not dignified???

And I would've been screwed too - my family convinced a rather large and loud family nearby to cheer when I crossed the stage to get my diploma.

Finally: um, those students were not the ones who broke the contract, so they cannot be held for breach of contract. *smacks forehead*

Seems to me there's an argument that it's possible the family of another student, one who harbors a grudge against the student denied the diploma, cheered in order to get the student in trouble. It's not that outlandish an idea.

I didn't know you needed to have a quiet family in order to graduate in America. Very strange.

We don't require it...but we do demand it...there is a difference

According to the article, the students can have their diplomas after they do 8 hours of public service for the school district, which means that there probably won't be any lawsuits. I guarantee you, though, if it were my kid and we couldn't afford to file a suit, I'd tell him to find a way to stick it to the school district. Take a shit in a box of books or something.

Don't take a dump in the books. The kids need those. Take a dump in the refrigerator in the teacher's lounge.

We don't require it...but we do demand it...there is a difference

If Hollywood has taught me anything it's that American's demand that you cheer very loudly at these ceremonies, throw your mortar boards up in the air, sing "shu-dup-a-doobe-do-da", and at least one student has to go up with nothing on under their robes.

Have to agree with Cannot think of a name. Since when is cheering not dignified???

And I would've been screwed too - my family convinced a rather large and loud family nearby to cheer when I crossed the stage to get my diploma.

Finally: um, those students were not the ones who broke the contract, so they cannot be held for breach of contract. *smacks forehead*

...Applause is dignified. It would seem you havent been to an event like one of these lately. Screaming that goes on for ... the entire event.

My wifes Phi Theta Kappa awards ceromony was absurd. Barking, howling, names being called, and then called, and then called again.

All the while these poor Honor students trying to just cross the stage and hide. And these were adult students not highschool kids.

Seems to me there's an argument that it's possible the family of another student, one who harbors a grudge against the student denied the diploma, cheered in order to get the student in trouble. It's not that outlandish an idea.

It's quite definitely not outlandish, seeing as I've personally seen something rather similar happen. At a friend's high school graduation some years ago, a group of kids who'd been expelled earlier that year had to be escorted out after they deliberately shrieked and yelled at the top of their lungs whenever the names of students they disliked (typically "nerds," including my friend) were called, for the apparent express purpose of disrupting the ceremony. It would be more than a little ridiculous to hold the "nerds" accountable for this behavior.

Seems to me there's an argument that it's possible the family of another student, one who harbors a grudge against the student denied the diploma, cheered in order to get the student in trouble. It's not that outlandish an idea.

Good point! +1 for Nazz. Does Nazz win the thread? ;)

I'm sitting here with a mental image of some guy off to the side taking down names of people who are cheered for...

But in all seriousness... this is idiotic. I wonder how long, exactly, these diplomas are to be held back. Or is it a situation where the school is planning to make them repeat senior year?

If Hollywood has taught me anything it's that American's demand that you cheer very loudly at these ceremonies, throw your mortar boards up in the air, sing "shu-dup-a-doobe-do-da", and at least one student has to go up with nothing on under their robes.

Sir! or Madam...I Do not like you're stereotypes of Americans...

Don't believe everything you see in Hollywood, its insulting...We also go completely stoned, and I would appreciate it if you keep that in mind...:p

Don't take a dump in the books. The kids need those. Take a dump in the refrigerator in the teacher's lounge.

Don't do that either; the teachers very likely consider this just as stupid as we do. Take a dump in the front seat of the headmaster/principal/superintendent/whatever's car. ;)

...Applause is dignified. It would seem you havent been to an event like one of these lately. Screaming that goes on for ... the entire event.

My wifes Phi Theta Kappa awards ceromony was absurd. Barking, howling, names being called, and then called, and then called again.

All the while these poor Honor students trying to just cross the stage and hide. And these were adult students not highschool kids.

Last year isn't lately? Both my sister and I graduated, one from high school and one from college. I suppose it's a "dignified" town, but... we were rather loud anyway. I had a hard time hearing names sometimes during mine, and I was up there.

i wasn't going to go to my graduation ceremony (got my results the other day, i passed, yay!), but this has changed my mind. someone better cheer me when i go up on stage, the more raucus the better.

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

We must go on a mission to Infinite Revolution's graduation.
We'll need seven air horns, two potato cannons, a bullhorn, several firecrackers, and a fresh voice for screaming.

IR, where's your school?

I'm sitting here with a mental image of some guy off to the side taking down names of people who are cheered for...

But in all seriousness... this is idiotic. I wonder how long, exactly, these diplomas are to be held back. Or is it a situation where the school is planning to make them repeat senior year?

They all graduated.

They just don't get the piece of paper.

Last year isn't lately? Both my sister and I graduated, one from high school and one from college. I suppose it's a "dignified" town, but... we were rather loud anyway. I had a hard time hearing names sometimes during mine, and I was up there.

Fair enough. What city? I live in Detroit. Did the audience throw things? Because they did at my wifes Phi Theta Kappa awards. I say again...adults cheering and acting this way for adults...honor students...the best of the best.

It does indeed depend on where you live.
Disruption to the point of bringing the ceremony to a hualt should not be tolerated.

Don't do that either; the teachers very likely consider this just as stupid as we do. Take a dump in the front seat of the headmaster/principal/superintendent/whatever's car. ;)

Nah.

1) Take dump on driver's seat (make sure you eat lots of Mexican food)
2) put dead, roadkilled carcass of an animal of your choice in the shotgun seat.
3) Ensure windows are up
4) ensure car is in well lit, very hot area.
5) Duct tape the doors shut
6) Seran wrap heavily
7) spray paint middle finger on windshieldt

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

We must go on a mission to Infinite Revolution's graduation.
We'll need seven air horns, two potato cannons, a bullhorn, several firecrackers, and a fresh voice for screaming.

IR, where's your school?

lol! i'm at edinburgh uni, but considering tickets to the ceremony are a tenner a piece it's only going to be my family there and they are all very reserved, i'll be lucky to get a whoop! :p

Fair enough. What city? I live in Detroit. Did the audience throw things? Because they did at my wifes Phi Theta Kappa awards. I say again...adults cheering and acting this way for adults...honor students...the best of the best.

It does indeed depend on where you live.
Disruption to the point of bringing the ceremony to a hualt should not be tolerated.

Close to San Francisco (don't care to give more detail).

I certainly agree that it should not be tolerated. Cheering, on the other hand....
And my main point is that it shouldn't be taken out on the graduates. :)

Nah.

1) Take dump on driver's seat (make sure you eat lots of Mexican food)
2) put dead, roadkilled carcass of an animal of your choice in the shogun seat.
3) Ensure windows are up
4) ensure car is in well lit, very hot area.
5) Duct tape the doors shut
6) Seran wrap heavily
7) spray paint middle finger on windshield

a kipper in the dashboard is always a good one, particularly if you can get it in the cabin heater vents. or under the spare tire in the boot, they'll never find it :D

Students crossing the stage at graduation should not be held accountable for their supporters in the audience. If somebody's mother, father, brother, sister, best friend, cousin, aunt's pet poodle, whatever...decides to be too loud, then it's their own fault, not the fault of the student. This is completely unfair.

lol! i'm at edinburgh uni, but considering tickets to the ceremony are a tenner a piece it's only going to be my family there and they are all very reserved, i'll be lucky to get a whoop! :p

Tickets? PFFT! We'll storm the place and we'll set the place on fire when you walk across.

Literally, if need be.

...

Gah, bugger. You're across the pond. I can't take a flight. :(

Close to San Francisco (don't care to give more detail).

I certainly agree that it should not be tolerated. Cheering, on the other hand....
And my main point is that it shouldn't be taken out on the graduates. :)

I do agree. My point to this story we are speaking of is that we dont know exactly how bad the cheering got...I do disagree with the punishment.

And of course some spirited cheering and applause is acceptable...but I think we can all realize when we have gone over the top...and if you cant. Dont attend.

They all graduated.

They just don't get the piece of paper.

I don't know about the school in question, but at my high school, we PAID for that piece of paper. That creates a legal interest in the damn thing.

I seriously hope these teenagers didn't have to pay for their own diplomas.

a kipper in the dashboard is always a good one, particularly if you can get it in the cabin heater vents. or under the spare tire in the boot, they'll never find it :D

Mmm, I like that idea. Toss in some rancid cabbage and spoiled egg, and you can cook a meal on the engine.

Nah.

1) Take dump on driver's seat (make sure you eat lots of Mexican food)
2) put dead, roadkilled carcass of an animal of your choice in the shogun seat.
3) Ensure windows are up
4) ensure car is in well lit, very hot area.
5) Duct tape the doors shut
6) Seran wrap heavily
7) spray paint middle finger on windshield

*Dressed in samurai uniform*

For the shogun!

*Salute*

Close to San Francisco (don't care to give more detail).

I certainly agree that it should not be tolerated. Cheering, on the other hand....
And my main point is that it shouldn't be taken out on the graduates. :)

Near SF? Join us! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528241)

*Dressed in samurai uniform*

For the shogun!

*Salute*

I hate you. ;)

*Dressed in samurai uniform*

For the shogun!

*Salute*

Hai!

Tickets? PFFT! We'll storm the place and we'll set the place on fire when you walk across.

Literally, if need be.

...

Gah, bugger. You're across the pond. I can't take a flight. :(

aww, another pipe dream down the drain :( (see what i did their eh? eh?)

aww, another pipe dream down the drain :( (see what i did their eh? eh?)

Oh, yes, I saw it. I lawl'd greatly.

I sowwy.

*gives cookie*

Near SF? Join us! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528241)

<3

What are the odds of ALL the monitors turning in the SAME names and ignoring other disruptions when white kids went up? Well, okay...maybe they're all racist pricks...but I kind of doubt it.

let me tell you a story about downstate illinois. just about an hour south of galesburg there is a lovely looking bar in the middle of fucking nowhere. it calls itself "the long branch" and has a noose on it's sign.

downstate is fucking klan territory. less so now than before, but it still scares the fuck out of me.

let me tell you a story about downstate illinois. just about an hour south of galesburg there is a lovely looking bar in the middle of fucking nowhere. it calls itself "the long branch" and has a noose on it's sign.

downstate is fucking klan territory. less so now than before, but it still scares the fuck out of me.

Well, I'm going to take your word on it, seeing as I've never been there.

By the way, your post read like the beginning of a Johnny Cash tune...

my high school had that rule, it was stupid. I had no control over my redneck family blowing one of those air horn thingies when my name was called.

Oh, yes, I saw it. I lawl'd greatly.

I sowwy.

*gives cookie*

:D

*munches on cookie*

let me tell you a story about downstate illinois. just about an hour south of galesburg there is a lovely looking bar in the middle of fucking nowhere. it calls itself "the long branch" and has a noose on it's sign.

downstate is fucking klan territory. less so now than before, but it still scares the fuck out of me.

Most of the Country was Klan territory at one time.
Hell most people wouldnt even know to the relation.
I had to explain to co-workres why they couldnt use the term "Cotton Picken" when dealing with subordinates, or "time to crack the whip" another favorite.

I had to explain to co-workres why they couldnt use the term "Cotton Picken"

I'm sorry, WHY can't you use this phrase? If you're offended by the term "Cotton Pickin'", you're too sensitive to begin with.

I'm sorry, WHY can't you use this phrase? If you're offended by the term "Cotton Pickin'", you're too sensitive to begin with.

And the whip thing... that's just for slavery in general... not just the racial/colonial one that Europeans started 4-500 years ago.

Most of the Country was Klan territory at one time.
Hell most people wouldnt even know to the relation.
I had to explain to co-workres why they couldnt use the term "Cotton Picken" when dealing with subordinates, or "time to crack the whip" another favorite.

"time to crack the whip" has to do with horses and mules, not with slaves......

there isn't anything wrong with "Cotton Pickin'" and anyone who thinks so is overly sensitive.

of course I am from a state with a real noose hung in our golf course and people still have lawn jockeys.

Unbelievable.

I didn't know you needed to have a quiet family in order to graduate in America. Very strange.

For "some" reason, if I hear something alien-to-life-as-we-know-it happening in the States, it no longer surprises me. The thing that truly shocks me, is that these people are part of a nation that has nuclear weapons capable of inter-continental flight... >_<

"time to crack the whip" has to do with horses and mules, not with slaves......

there isn't anything wrong with "Cotton Pickin'" and anyone who thinks so is overly sensitive.

of course I am from a state with a real noose hung in our golf course and people still have lawn jockeys.

What the, pardon my french, FUCK is a lawn jockey?

What are the odds of ALL the monitors turning in the SAME names and ignoring other disruptions when white kids went up?

Or maybe the minority families were all the more joyoys of their offspring passing (correct me if I'm wrong, but in proportion, more drop-outs come from ethnic minorities) the tests, and thus were louder?

One of the stupid pipes under the US must be leaking...

It certainly isn't the one leading to (or from, depending which way you look) the President... :rolleyes:

What the, pardon my french, FUCK is a lawn jockey?

Click here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_jockey)

It certainly isn't the one leading to (or from, depending which way you look) the President... :rolleyes:

Nah, the leaky relay probably only goes around him.

Everyone knows that the stupid pipeline is a circle.

Well, that's exceptionally excessive. I mean, I could see taking some action to control someone who's being an obnoxious douche during the celebration, but not that. It's graduation; I mean, I was bored out of my mind during mine, but for the parents involved it's probably a pretty big deal and they have every right to celebrate.

Don't believe everything you see in Hollywood, its insulting...We also go completely stoned, and I would appreciate it if you keep that in mind...:p

*giggle* I'll keep it in mind from now on. Oh, what about daily gunfights on highschool yards? :D

They just don't get the piece of paper.

Um, don't they need that piece of paper if they're trying to get an edge for getting a job or when they're trying to get to a college or something like that? Over here we need our equivalent of the high school diploma (system is different, end result same) to apply to universities, for example.

Everyone knows that the stupid pipeline is a circle.

Hehee, I thought it was a Moebius ring... neverending (supply of stupid). ;)

If the ACLU claims there is nothing racist about it, I am going to take their word. They are not known for their blatant disregard for anything concerning race.

I kind of agree with the school. These things do get absurdly loud if you don't try to control it. If the students know the punishment, they can try to tell their parents to refrain from blasting air horns and screaming at the top of their lungs and thats a lot easier to do than to arrest or eject a sizable group of very loud and rowdy people from a crowd. The latter is just asking for trouble.

Where the hell is all of this stupid coming from lately?

One of the stupid pipes under the US must be leaking...

No, just under the Midwest. At my school in NYC, the TEACHERS cheer for the students, along with the parents and the students themselves.

No, just under the Midwest. At my school in NYC, the TEACHERS cheer for the students, along with the parents and the students themselves.

I meant the overall increase in the amount of stupidity in America lately, not just this one issue.

But thanks for pointing out the specific MidWest leak... *marks leak*

Don't take a dump in the books. The kids need those. Take a dump in the refrigerator in the teacher's lounge.

Hell no.
In the principal's office. Teacher =/=administrator.

*giggle* I'll keep it in mind from now on. Oh, what about daily gunfights on highschool yards? :D

Not every day, only Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 around the flagpole.

No automatics without previous approval.

What the, pardon my french, FUCK is a lawn jockey?

A metal statue in the shape of a black man dressed in a red and white jockey uniform, holding a ring (so a horse's rein could be looped on it) or a lantern.

Ridiculously enough, some folks in my neck of the woods painted theirs white -- and it just looks baaad.

(Me, I'd just chuck it all together.)

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.

Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. What are the odds?

Stupid people in charge make stupid decisions. Look at the President.

A metal statue in the shape of a black man dressed in a red and white jockey uniform, holding a ring (so a horse's rein could be looped on it) or a lantern.

Ridiculously enough, some folks in my neck of the woods painted theirs white -- and it just looks baaad.

(Me, I'd just chuck it all together.)

That doesn't sound any more offensive then, say, a garden gnome. But then again, I find next to nothing offensive.

let me tell you a story about downstate illinois. just about an hour south of galesburg there is a lovely looking bar in the middle of fucking nowhere. it calls itself "the long branch" and has a noose on it's sign.

downstate is fucking klan territory. less so now than before, but it still scares the fuck out of me.

I'll thank you not to make sweeping generalizations because there are some racist hicks in the boonies around Galesburg. Go into Galesburg, Macomb, or Quincy and say that. I doubt you'll make many friends.

On topic: the school has every right to determine what is acceptable during their ceremonies, and it's not like this decision came out of nowhere. They had reason. But punishing the students because their parents/guests/whatever can't keep their mouths shut is hardly the way to go.

That doesn't sound any more offensive then, say, a garden gnome. But then again, I find next to nothing offensive.

http://www.lawnjockey.com/images_jocko_N.jpg

lawn jockey.

I don't have one, they are expensive.

I do have a Mammy cookie jar that's been passed down in my family, none of my black friends have a problem with it, but a few of my white friends have called me racist for owning it.

http://www.shol.com/agita/images/SC%20Mammy%20Jar%201940's.jpg

both my high school and college asked the audience to please hold all applause till they "announced" the graduating class.

Most did, and when someone cheered too loudly, they were warned that anyone who "burst out" would be removed. I think in high school, one person was removed, and everyone else was quiet.

This was totally out of line, to withhold diploma's. However, the parents did sign something, and so THEY should be held accountable, not the students

I do have a Mammy cookie jar that's been passed down in my family, none of my black friends have a problem with it, but a few of my white friends have called me racist for owning it.

Yeah, that happened to me when I was at the Jamboree a few years ago in AP Hill. I had a confederate battle flag beach towel, and a bunch of white kids yelled at me -- one even rammed into me with his shoulder. A few black ones, though, commented on how they liked the towel.

lawn jockey.


I believe the term I would apply to that thing is "Stupid and unsightly".

Yeah, that happened to me when I was at the Jamboree a few years ago in AP Hill. I had a confederate battle flag beach towel, and a bunch of white kids yelled at me -- one even rammed into me with his shoulder. A few black ones, though, commented on how they liked the towel.

A couple of things. First of all--why the hell would you own such a thing? Secondly, I would be willing to bet that the reaction by those black kids either 1) didn't happen or 2) wasn't representative of the general population of African-Americans.

The School admins were being stupid, but I think the parents were also stupid.



So, stupid admins + Stupid Parents = this crazy shit.

The stupidity of the parents maybe blocking a bit of sound no where NEAR equals the stupidity of the administration of possibly denying these kids their entire future because of some people they can not control in the stands

Errr... I thought it was normal that the person goes to the stage and everybody cheers, not just the family but also the familes of the classmates. And that you applaude until yor hands hurt, and that from a certain point on the parents are sent home and the 'pupils' start partying... and that you celebrate until sunrise and then being driven home by a taxi-driver who knows you do not realize that he takes a longer way than neccessary.

Tickets? PFFT! We'll storm the place and we'll set the place on fire when you walk across.

Literally, if need be.

...

Gah, bugger. You're across the pond. I can't take a flight. :(

Yes but I'm in Wolverhampton (near the original Birmingham for anyone across the pond) it's only a couple of hours up the M6 and a tenner - well i can afford that.

That doesn't sound any more offensive then, say, a garden gnome. But then again, I find next to nothing offensive.

Well..........http://www.lawnjockey.com/jocko.html...particularily if you contrast it to the styling of the white one....I'd go "jockey sniping" at night, were I black meself.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this in "complete no-no" territory?
http://www.lawnjockey.com/watermel_pw.html

I didn't know you needed to have a quiet family in order to graduate in America. Very strange.

My family wasn't quiet when I graduated from high school. I still got my diploma.

:mad::mad:

LAWSUIT!!!!!!!!

That's not right...the school should just give them the F*ckin Diploma

:mad::mad:

Yes. The students signed the agreement, but they're being punished for the behavior of third parties? It's like firing a math teacher because all his students flunked English.

My family wasn't quiet when I graduated from high school. I still got my diploma.

When I graduated from high school, students were rather loud during the valedictorian's speech; of course it doesn't help that a bunch of morons elected the classclown to give the speech. He made a smartass speech. There was immense applause for the students and some whooping for the overachievers.

Strangely I don't remember having to sign a piece of paper (my parents wouldn't have had to because I was legally an adult and anything from the school didn't go to them once I turned 18).

I believe the term I would apply to that thing is "Stupid and unsightly".

most of the ones around here are antiques, I don't know of anyone buying them new (anyone I associate with anyway)

most of the ones around here are antiques, I don't know of anyone buying them new (anyone I associate with anyway)

That's one tacky cookie jar. Can't say I'd leave it sitting out on display, but whatever.

That's one tacky cookie jar. Can't say I'd leave it sitting out on display, but whatever.

she is not on display currently because of the children, she has been in the past. I really don't see what the problem with her is.

she is not on display currently because of the children, she has been in the past. I really don't see what the problem with her is.

She's fat and happens to be black. Therefore, you're implying that all black woman are fat and old and ugly and ceramic.

Duuuuuuhhh...


Also, you take off her head and eat what's inside her, symbolizing the white man's devouring of black culture.

She's fat and happens to be black. Therefore, you're implying that all black woman are fat and old and ugly and ceramic.

Duuuuuuhhh...
I also have a Kip's Big boy (actually about 10 of them) am I also implying that all white people are fat too?


Also, you take off her head and eat what's inside her, symbolizing the white man's devouring of black culture.
she has never been used as a cookie jar.

I also have a Kip's Big boy (actually about 10 of them) am I also implying that all white people are fat too?

Well, we do have an obesity problem in this country....

she has never been used as a cookie jar.

Just as decoration then?

I always find it amusing the looks of shock random people have when one of my white friends calls me a smelly indian bastard. My reply is usually "inbred hick." And I don't think I or any of my friends are actually offended by either.

Just as decoration then?

I always find it amusing the looks of shock random people have when one of my white friends calls me a smelly indian bastard. My reply is usually "inbred hick." And I don't think I or any of my friends are actually offended by either.

The key there is that they're your friends, not random strangers who have stuff out on their lawn which suggests that they wish for an earlier time when the blacks knew their place and weren't all uppity.

I didn't know you needed to have a quiet family in order to graduate in America. Very strange.For the record<<
These stupid administrators are in no way representative of US society.<<

If they are not fired.. then i wish the school is slammed with a multi-million dollars Lawsuit.

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.

Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. What are the odds?

Idiots. :rolleyes:

In Galesburg, the issue has taken on added controversy with accusations that the students were targeted because of their race: four are black and one is Hispanic. Parents say cheers also erupted for white students, and none of them was denied a diploma.

i find it funny that it was very important to mention this. do they also happen to be the only five minority families living in that district. if anything happens to a minority it is automatically declared racism within the first 5 minutes.

but as for the whole no cheering at graduation thing. i find that to be really lame. it is a huge part of graduation to have people cheer for you. i remember my graduation people made noise for graduates they knew as they walked across the stage.

i find it funny that it was very important to mention this. do they also happen to be the only five minority families living in that district.

no, but on pure numbers it is rather likely they were the only ones in that class. the town is like 85% white and has only 30k people or so.

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.

Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. What are the odds?

Is there a law in America that to run a school you have to be insane? No offense, but there are so many of these "American school does something stupid and evil" stories.

Surely the ceremony should be just symbolic? Getting handed a piece of paper on a certain day shouldn't actually determine whether or not you are considered qualified... (I don't know if they do anything like that in my country, but it's stupid regardless).

Just as decoration then?
yep. mostly she got passed down because at some point she gained value, she is worth a few hundred bucks, my grandma gave her to me because I probably wouldn't break/sell her.

I always find it amusing the looks of shock random people have when one of my white friends calls me a smelly indian bastard. My reply is usually "inbred hick." And I don't think I or any of my friends are actually offended by either.
why would someone call you names? :(

yep. mostly she got passed down because at some point she gained value, she is worth a few hundred bucks, my grandma gave her to me because I probably wouldn't break/sell her.

Ah, nifty. Yeah I'm sure out folks have an heirloom or two like that, though I'm unaware of any.

why would someone call you names? :(

Banter among friends.

If the ACLU claims there is nothing racist about it, I am going to take their word. They are not known for their blatant disregard for anything concerning race.

I kind of agree with the school. These things do get absurdly loud if you don't try to control it. If the students know the punishment, they can try to tell their parents to refrain from blasting air horns and screaming at the top of their lungs and thats a lot easier to do than to arrest or eject a sizable group of very loud and rowdy people from a crowd. The latter is just asking for trouble.

Parents aren't likely to actually listen to their teenagers. The parents and guests should have been required to sign an agreement, not the students. Do you know how impossible it is to shut your family up from the front of an auditorium, without getting kicked out yourself?

I do have a Mammy cookie jar that's been passed down in my family, none of my black friends have a problem with it, but a few of my white friends have called me racist for owning it.

http://www.shol.com/agita/images/SC%20Mammy%20Jar%201940's.jpg

wow thats a very nice cookie jar.

does she look like hattie mcdaniels or is that a trick of the lighting/angle?

i wouldnt let anyone make me feel bad over owning anything that nice.

This is like Old Testament bible crap: "we'll punish you cus of something someone else did" - the students are being punished because of people in the audience. The admins could have just fined/removed the noisy people.

A couple of things. First of all--why the hell would you own such a thing? Secondly, I would be willing to bet that the reaction by those black kids either 1) didn't happen or 2) wasn't representative of the general population of African-Americans.

I don't know, maybe education in the inner cities actually DOES suck that much.


Or maybe they were just great flaming idiots.

A couple of things. First of all--why the hell would you own such a thing?

Mostly so I can laugh at the reactions of the white kids who absolutely hated me for it.

Secondly, I would be willing to bet that the reaction by those black kids either 1) didn't happen

It did.

or 2) wasn't representative of the general population of African-Americans.

I won't deny that.

why are people only allowed to respond to posts but not create new ones?

Yeah, if this isn't an example of teh stupid run rampant (http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06/01/graduation.decorum.ap/index.html), I don't know what is.

Fuck those administrators. The diploma represents what you have accomplished as a student--that's it. It should not be tied to anything else. You pass the classes, you do the work, you get the diploma. Period. End of story.

But the worst part of this is that the students are being punished for somthing they couldn't control. I dearly hope a lawsuit or five comes out of this.

Oh yeah--one other thing on top of it all. What are the odds?

Wow, Galesburg is like 45 mins away from my university. Never would I have imagined this happening in a place like that..

Wait actually I would, because its West-Central Illinois. Full of corn fields and idiots.

why are people only allowed to respond to posts but not create new ones?

It's because Lord Max hates you.

Wow, Galesburg is like 45 mins away from my university.

haha, macomb

haha, macomb

Yeah, it sucks :p