You're behaving like a bunch of wild Indians!

[TudoBem]

..

Edited by TudoBem - 1/24/12 at 3:48pm

[number572]

I'm white. I think those statements are offensive and would not like to hear them either. I've also heard non-whites say racist things. I think its the person speaking & their level of awareness VS "caucasians think racist comments are OK!" type of thing.

[raksmama]

Both statements are very offensive! No one should say them but especially not in a school! It would definitely not be acceptable here.

[TudoBem]

 

Edited by TudoBem - 1/24/12 at 3:47pm

[eepster]

Originally Posted by number572

I'm white. I think those statements are offensive and would not like to hear them either. I've also heard non-whites say racist things. I think its the person speaking & their level of awareness VS "caucasians think racist comments are OK!" type of thing.

Very true. The member of our family who is most racist and likely to make comments like that is not caucasian.

[number572]

Originally Posted by TudoBem

Okay, I'm glad to hear that. Sometimes I feel like I must be crazy.
I think about what these statements to do the self-concepts of kids who belong to these different groups. Or if you're another minority, I wonder if it makes you ponder what they think about your group.
It bothers me when those in the majority discount the effect that this racism has on kids. Why is it so hard for some people to see/understand how inappropriate this kind of speech is?

Some of the most offensive language learned (for me) was in my family and in the media and in schoolbooks, etc while I was growing up. People are becoming more aware but very unfortunately (& infuriatingly!!) some people choose to continue using offensive racist statements. Or they may still be unaware of the real meaning of the statement, & how it can make others feel & how it could affect a kid's self-esteem. I'm sorry that you have to be around people who say these things. What would happen if you told them that its offensive & why?

[raksmama]

Even the term “Indian” is not considered PC in many places. Recently I was going through some of ds’s old books that he doesn’t read any more to donate to the library. He had several older books my aunt had given about “Indians” and “Eskimos”. The library would not even take them saying that they are no longer allowed have children’s books that use those terms. “First Nation” or “Aboriginal” is the more PC term used for “Indian” nowadays and “Inuit” the term used for “Eskimos” where we are.

[peaceful_mama]

I'd be complaining to the school about that teacher's language. 100%. They do NOT need to hear that, especially from an adult at school--if the teacher says it, it seems to doubly make it "OK" and "right" in the mind of a child. And I'd tell my child exactly why I'm doing it. People need to be told sometimes to THINK about this kind of stuff.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by number572

I'm white. I think those statements are offensive and would not like to hear them either. I've also heard non-whites say racist things. I think its the person speaking & their level of awareness VS "caucasians think racist comments are OK!" type of thing.

i agree with you 100%

i am sorry the person in your school happens to be white, would it make it less offensive if they were not?

i think both statements are beyond offensive and yes, i look white, but am over 50% Native American.

i would bring it up to the school. a teacher, not matter the color of their skin or where they come form should never talk like that. its not OK nor is it what i want my kids to learn. we put a lot of trust in our schools to teach the 'right' things and this type of talk is beyond offensive and letting it go is in fact, making it OK...

[tommynomad]

Consider it your cue to teach your child the word "ignoramus."

And I'm betting the offending teacher won't know what it means.

[Peepsqueak]

Horrible expression....sometimes people really are not thinking about what they say and because it is a cliche that has been taken for granted they do not listen to themselves.

[Bad Mama Jama]

i would have to speak with someone at the school immediately and the offender as well. there is so much ignorance in the world and some people don't even know they are guilty of it until they are called on their actions.

[ewe+lamb]

I would speak to the school as well, personally it is unacceptable to hear that sort of language from anyone, let alone a teacher and librarian!

[La Sombra]

I personally think that in some places or in some people, this kind of racism (which is admittedly not terribly overt) is so deeply embedded that they are totally unaware of the offensiveness and the power of their words. But I agree with you 100% that those things are racist and that they do--if not consciously--*absolutely* have an effect on children--ALL children--that is how children view other races and how children internalize messages about their own race.

[filiadeluna]

Ugh. Reminds me of things my grandparents used to say. Mind you, they were born in 1911 and 1913 respectively, so it was just commonplace and accepted by the majority to say things that today would be considered blatantly racist and offensive. i.e. my Grandma would always say, "Your Chinese friend is coming over? Well you'd better watch out for her! They're sneaky!" Or she'd say things like, "THOSE people...." when referring to just about any non-caucasians. And those were the tamer of many things they said.

[sapphire_chan]

A librarian actually let words like that come out of her mouth in front of children?

(Hmm... "wild Indians", must be talking about the Thugee cult. That was a pretty violent group by several accounts. If the school actually has kids running around garroting people, it's no wonder the librarian has lost her ability to speak rationally.)

[MusicianDad]

I don't know anyone who would think saying such things would be appropriate.