Teacher in trouble after students don Klan robes

[babsbunny]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100525/ap_on_re_us/us_school_klan_robes

By DIONNE WALKER, Associated Press Writer Dionne Walker, Associated Press Writer – 5 mins ago

ATLANTA – A North Georgia teacher is on administrative leave and could lose her job after she allowed four students to don mock Ku Klux Klan outfits for a final project in a high school class Thursday, administrators said.

The sight of people in Klan-like outfits upset some black students at the school and led at least one parent to complain.

Catherine Ariemma, who teaches the advanced placement course combining U.S. history with film education, could face punishment ranging from suspension to termination, Lumpkin County School Superintendent Dewey Moye said Monday. Ariemma has spent nearly six years teaching in the rural county about 75 miles north of Atlanta.

She told The Associated Press Monday that students were covering an important and sensitive topic — but one that she might handle differently in the future.

[d_r]

1. stupid, stupid, stupid.

I honestly believe that there is a type of "cold" racism based on stupidity. It isn't "hot" in that it isn't angry or hateful, it is just a result of being stupid. Honestly, anyone old enough to be a teacher should have thought this was a bad idea. After reading that, I honestly don't think the students were "hot" racists, who were trying to make a statement or anything. They probably honestly didn't think about it, they just didn't know any better. But that really doesn't make it OK to just let it slide, like no harm intended, no foul. That "cold" racism of just not knowing any better is still just not OK.

[Obamanaut]

2. More responses at this earlier thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8408130

[Swamp Rat]

3. Too dumb to be a teacher.