CNN: 7th-grader gets 'Most Likely to Become a Terrorist' Award

[Unapologetic Chinaperson]

Wow.

When I was in high school and doing Model UN, we made superlatives at the end of every conference as a tradition. Those superlatives range from the funny to the inane, but at least people had the sense not to do "Is most likely to become a terrorist" as a superlative. Doing so would likely get us in hot water. Remember, these are high schoolers making superlatives, and most know not to do that.

So the fact that a middle school teacher - someone who 1. is supposed to be more mature than high school students and 2. is supposed to make an example - did that is just shameful.

That said:

What the actual HECK? Holy mother of Elmo...

Paging KingSweden...

[Unapologetic Chinaperson]

I don't know why CNN puts up these absurd stories. The mainstream media floods people's minds with stories about ethnicity and offense, and then wonder why they're hated, or why people become racists. The more someone thinks about race, the more likely they are to become a racist. Personally, I can this was obviously just a joke, but what isn't a joke is a corporate behemoth ruining this Lance Corporal's life.

Wow, you've sounded like a blue avatar (who I'm not going to name) who thinks "it's a joke = it's fiiine"

What's a joke to you is clearly not a joke to the student. Sure, we can debate on whether CNN should report this, but the teacher who did this could and should face consequences.

[Unapologetic Chinaperson]

It says the student initially wanted everyone to drop it. She wasn't offended, other people were offended on her behalf.

Okay? First of all, the student who wanted everyone to "drop it" was the girl who got "Most likely to blend in with white people," not the terrorist award. The girl who did get the terrorist award said she was not comfortable with receiving it, nor being in the same room as the teacher.

But for the sake of argument, let's focus on the first girl. Why would she want everyone to "drop it?" Answer: Because she was embarrassed and likely didn't feel comfortable with making a big scene; it's a common feeling 7th-graders have. That does not mean she is actually okay with the award, nor does it give the teacher free pass to distribute this award.

Honestly, this argument smacks of the "It's not rape if they enjoyed it!" argument.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

No, the teacher should have been fired for making these awards, just like anyone should be fired for practicing workplace discrimination. Doubly so since the teacher has apparently did racially insensitive actions before (i.e. the "black quiz").

And how are you certain these "awards" would have no impact on the students' lives? These are impressionable middle schoolers we are talking about. These students are at the age when they begin to form their adult identities, when they form new social norms, etc. These "awards" will be a pretty defining feature of these students lives. Perhaps it will become their go-to answer to the question "What's the worst racist experience you had in your life?"