by Holly~Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History~ C.
Member since:
August 25, 2006

Racism, Alive And Well: Arkansas School Officials Say That Having A Black Valedictorian Would Be A "Big Mess"

July 26, 2011 12:21 PM UTC
views: 0 | 11 people recommend this | comments: 38

Think Progress reports, via Courthouse News Service, reports:

A high school student in Arkansas was blocked from receiving sole valedictorian honors this summer, despite earning the highest G.P.A. in her class and receiving only a single B in her four years at McGehee Secondary School. Kymberly Wimberly’s offense? She’s black. School administrators worried that Wimberly’s accomplishment would result in a “big mess” at the majority-white school, so Principal Darrell Thompson told the student’s mother “that he decided to name a white student as co-valedictorian,” even though the white student had a lower G.P.A. The matter is currently pending in federal court.

Comments: 38

Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 26, 2011, 12:26pm UTC
Op! You're going to be called "the real racist" now, for pointing out their blatant racism.


LOL
Oh no! Whatever will I do?!
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 12:28pm UTC
Disgusting.
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 12:34pm UTC
The principal should be fired and the school board replaced.
I think in this case it was the individual school making the decision, based on every article I've read. However the school board superintendent would not allow the girl's mother to appeal the principal's decision until after graduation had taken place. So yeah the school board should be replaced because they basically aided and abetted the principal.
Kasey Klein Jul 26, 2011, 1:38pm UTC
And the beat goes on.
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 2:28pm UTC
Kasey you are right. If one black person sees that another black person can achieve this then it might inspire them and they might inspire others and then black folks will get all high and mighty and uppidy like President Obama and the GOP will lose the nanny state talking point.

Best just to nip this equality bud right now.
Robin G. Jul 26, 2011, 2:39pm UTC
I'd hate it for a black person to get valedictorian. I mean, what is this, 2011?
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 2:49pm UTC
Exactly Robi.....I know the Constitution says equality for all but what it REALLY means and you have to read between the lines....what it really means is equality for all white, rightwing, Christian types. All else can just bugger off.

So dont you see letthing this girl have this honor all by herself would be Unconstitutional.
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Jul 26, 2011, 7:10pm UTC
What Lori said.
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 30, 2011, 1:12pm UTC
"So don't you see letting this girl have this honor all by herself would be Unconstitutional."

Lori, the bigots are looking like fools. The anti-affirmative action crowd's silence is deafening.
Jim G. Jul 26, 2011, 4:36pm UTC
Unbelievable. (Shakes head).....
Cathi L. Jul 26, 2011, 4:40pm UTC
It might cause a ruckus, you say? Oh my, we can't let THAT happen. Someone might learn something.

Geez.
We can't offend the delicate sensibilities of racists, don't cha know?
"Big mess," eh?

Things haven't changed a lot since 1954. It reminds me of things I heard when I was a kid like "We just don't get any qualified negro applicants." That was code for "One of our major criteria for job applicants is not being black." :)
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 26, 2011, 7:44pm UTC
"so Principal Darrell Thompson told the student’s mother “that he decided to name a white student as co-valedictorian,” even though the white student had a lower G.P.A."

Where are the anti-affirmative crowd here at Gather?

Their silence is deafening.
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 8:58pm UTC
Good question Lloyd. I would say it would be hard to defend this nonsense without totatlly coming out of the racist closet....they are too afraid to be seen for exactly wha they are.
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 26, 2011, 9:14pm UTC
Lori, growing up Black we were always told we had to do better, exceed expectations. It now appear the bar has risen. As our youth take one step forward the racists discredit their achievements and push them two steps backwards.

Not to worry though. This is a TOUGH lesson that Black children need to learn. It will make them better in the long run.
Lori F. Jul 26, 2011, 9:51pm UTC
Lloyd you are an inspiration to me.
Thank you Lloyd.

Ms. Wimberly can hold her head high knowing that she has achieved so much and has outshined the bigots in her midst.
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 30, 2011, 1:03pm UTC
Holly, once again Ms. Wimberly learned an important lesson. Life isn't fair. She mustn't get discouraged. She must continue to overachieve. And in the end, she'll reap the rewards of her efforts.

Maybe she'll be able to affect change. She'll probably be labeled a Black extremist. But nothing prepares one for the fight than witnessing hate and bigotry from a first hand perspective.

I'm confident of that.
Lets not and say we did Jul 26, 2011, 9:00pm UTC
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the time machine took us back to 1940 something!!!
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 30, 2011, 1:04pm UTC
It's called "Taking America Back."
Gail Mountain Jul 27, 2011, 8:03am UTC
I just don't understand how humans can cause such pain to other humans.
Lloyd 'Tony' Cope Jul 30, 2011, 1:09pm UTC
Gail, you and I live by different standards. We understand the importance of getting a good education and lifting one up from their bootstraps; something preached by those on the right.

It's obvious that the bigots never imagined a day when a Black child would be best at any anything. Now they've decided to raise the bar. But the Jeanie has been let out of the bottle. The election of our first non-White President has made it loud and clear that anything is possible; even being sole valedictorian on one's graduating high school class.
Gail Mountain Jul 31, 2011, 8:21am UTC
True.

I also know that I will never know the extent of the pain caused because I have never walked in the shoes of anyone who is hated for their skin color but I can admit that I do not know what I would do if it was me and I can empathize and again admit that I do not know what I would do if this was one of my children and I can figure out that it would hurt me terribly so I would never do it to anyone else. I have no patience for those who can't at least get that far.
Karl Leuba Jul 31, 2011, 12:03pm UTC
Gail, I can understand it happening, I can even understand how it can happen, but I cannot rationalize allowing it to happen.

The Holocaust was racism unleashed. All Genocides are racism unleashed. The difference between a "little" racism and Mass Murder is just a matter of degree.
Vicente Duque Jul 31, 2011, 12:07pm UTC

Holly, Gail, Lloyd, Karl

Great Article and Great Posts from you.

I admire you for Great Hearts of Nobility, Honor and Decency !
.
Gail Mountain Jul 31, 2011, 12:11pm UTC
I'll never understand. I just know it does!
Werner V. Jul 30, 2011, 1:12pm UTC
Racism is alive. Do I hate orange, pink or zero?

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.