But doesn't it seem like some people go way the f*ck out of their way looking for things to be offended by these days? Case in point: Teachers, parents and activists (of course activists have gotten involved) are upset that a docent at the Getty Museum rubbed the heads of two black students during a discussion about texture, and described the students' hair as "rough."
Fourth-grade teacher Talibah Shakir had this to say about the docent's behavior. "She started talking about smooth and rough textures and she grabbed the head of one of my black boy students and rubbed his head and said 'This is rough,' " Shakir said. "The kids were in shock. It was like she had just ripped out their spirits."
All because the docent said their hair was rough.
Excuse me for stating the obvious, but wasn't the docent just stating the obvious? Unless it's been chemically treated, African American hair is rough. And white people's hair isn't. Big f*cking deal. If I'd been there (and the docent had a current tetanus shot), she could've used my head as an example of fine. And limp. And oily. And maybe a touch smelly. (But that's just the product I use, I swear.)
Now, of course, the museum personnel are going to be forced to sit through untold hours of "sensitivity training," while the protesters want the docent reprimanded or removed from her position.
Personally, I think the docent should be commended for showing such restraint in choosing an example of "rough." After all, she could've just made them rub her pubes.
Article comments
1 - Chris Kent
If the docent pointed me out and said "There's an example of a damn good looking man!" it would have offended me. People should not be made an example in front of others no matter the example. It is unprofessional and just plain stupid. Rubbing someone's head and saying this is an example of bald, or fine, or rough or pubic or beautiful or pimply or ugly in front of others is embarrassing...simple as that.
*rubbing the docent's head*
"This is an example of an idiot!"
2 - HOOK
The only reason you would be offended by someone calling you "good looking" is because you are not.
Some people are just too sensitive. Like you, Chris. You probably grew up as target, only because you ALLOWED yourself to be. If you were more confident in yourself you wouldn't be writing such crap.
A simple apology would have been sufficient from the docent. Having to go through a bunch of BS is stupid.
But most overly sensitive people are stupid, eh Chris?
3 - Eric Olsen
Funny post CG, and I agree with you that this is yet another overreaction. But, goddamn, this woman is a sentient being in the U. S. of A. in 2004? It would take a fucking sea slug to not be aware of the likely consequences of anything remotely like this. The woman was insensitive and dumb as a doorknob.
4 - copygodd
i totally agree. to not realize the consequences of her actions was really stupid on her part.
but it's a sad commentary that life in these united states has gotten so super-sensitive that something like this would even be an issue. but, it is what it is. i just hope that someday we'll all grow up enough to get past this kind of nonsense. sigh.
5 - Jiggles
This is like the pot calling the kettle black and getting thrown in the trash for it, while the kettle sits on top of the stove whistling away how he was wronged.
Have things gotten so bad that if I am in a crowd that contains African Americans (don't get me started) and I say, "I feel like taking a nappy-nap," because I am so tired I am going to have a race card thrown at me.
Now that would be "rough."
6 - boomcrashbaby
if I am in a crowd....and I say, "I feel like taking a nappy-nap," .......Now that would be "rough."
Not as rough as if you didn't take your poopy in your poopy chair, I bet.
7 - RJ
While I dislike ANYBODY being used in an embarrassing way as an example in front of a group, I HIGHLY doubt that racism was a factor here. Poor choice on the part of the docent, but hardly indicative of RACIAL insensitivity (though perhaps of insensitivity in general).
8 - Justene
When my daughters were in first grade, in our white and Asian suburb, I went to "lunch with your child" day and brought along their best friend, a black girl (who was in kindergarten elsewhere and could be available for lunch). The various children were fascinated by her hair and touched it a lot commenting about its texture. I tried to discourage such behavior along the lines of "what are you people doing? and what is all this touching?" The nearby teacher though, at the children's request, also felt her hair and oohed or some such reaction. So there are indeed dense people.
When I returned the little girl to her Mom, I retold the story with much embarassment, apologizing for having such a thing happen. She laughed, a lot, both at the foolish people and my pained reaction.