chinese crested

'Arkansas High School Wont Let African-American Student Be Valedictorian
by Jessica P.
July 25, 2011
.An Arkansas high school would not let a black student be valedictorian of her class even though she had the highest grade-point average because school administrators were concerned a black valedictorian would create a “big mess” at the predominately white school.

According to a complaint filed in federal court, Kymberly Wimberly got only a single B in her four years at McGehee Secondary School, a high school southeast of Little Rock. She took as many Honors and Advanced Placement courses as was allowed and earned the highest G.P.A. in her class. But despite these accomplishments, school administrators and personnel treated two other white students as “heirs apparent” to the valedictorian spots. McGhee Principal Darrel Thompson confirmed the differential treatment when he told Wimberly that he had decided to name a white student as co-valedictorian, despite the fact that the white student had a lower G.P.A.

As if that were not bad enough, school officials refused to allow Wimberly or her mother, a school employee, to protest the decision to the school board. According to the compliant, Superintendent Thomas Gathen refused to let Wimberly address the school board because she “filled out the wrong form” and instead of asking for “public comments” Wimberly should have asked for “public participation.” Superintendent Gathen then told her she could not appeal his decision until the next school board meeting–scheduled well over a month past graduation.

The complaint attacks what it calls a culture of discouraging African-American students from achieving academic success. The last African-American valedictorian was in 1989. African-American students are routinely discouraged from taking honors and advanced placement classes, telling those students the work is too hard for them.

Wimberly’s case is complicated by the fact that she is also a young mother. Title IX protects young mothers from discrimination in educational settings but can’t, on its own, eradicate ingrained racial and cultural prejudices.

Wimberly’s success should be celebrated by the entire district, not diminished because of her race and her status as a young mother. The actions in this case are not only illegal they are cultural repugnant[/B].[/B]'
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How can they get away with this? Is it true that principle Darryl Thompson has eye holes cut in his sheets? What happened to equality - or at least pretending we all had it? Will he be removed? Will the board be removed? Will Wimberly ever get any justice on this?

Strange Famous

if its true, even in the US this kind of racial discrimination must be illegal? (and I dont say"even" because I think the US is more or less racist, just that I know it doesnt have such a well definied race relations act)

However, I am conscious that there are always two sides to every story

I find it pretty astonishing that the person can put this out in the media while the court case is still outstanding, surely that prejudices the civil case they are trying to bring?

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for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
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chinese crested

It doesnt say it was the girl or her mum who leaked it, probably a friend they had confided in thought such bigotry should be out in the open or a parent from the school - I doubt it would have been kept secret, and other students would certainly have noticed. Must be some evidence as papers have their own legal dept to advise before publishing something that can backfire.

Iliftrocks

Didn't I read the same thing last year, but they had made a black person co-valedictorian to make it racially balanced? Either way, it's a bunch of crap. Pick the best student, based on consistent metrics, and that should be the valedictorian, the next best is saluditorian, no? Or just get rid of the damned useless honor, and make the graduation ceremony shorter, there's drinking to be done...

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Baraka_Guru

So let me get this straight: The problem isn't that she's black, it's that there are too many whites?

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genuinegirly

She had one B. At my high school, she would have never been valedictorian simply because the competition would have been more fierce. Yes, she took AP classes, which is often figured in as 5.0 in a standard 4.0 scale, but not always. The fact remains that she got a B. Perhaps the person they chose for co-valedictorian had a spotless all-A GPA without AP classes. Perhaps the co-valedictorian found a cure for cancer and has been accepted to a direct-entry MD/PhD program with a full-ride scholarship. We can't see the entire picture from one article that reads as biased.

That said, this woman should have the opportunity to be heard by the school board, and to fight for the title she feels she has earned.

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flat5

We also have no information about that "B". How it was decided.
This is a "good old boy" decision.
The people in charge are very concerned about what their neighbors will think if they promote the idea that a black student is the school's best.
Of course the US is racist. Not saying everybody is.

tunes1954

kimberly should be honored for her acheivement

KirStang

You file suit in Federal Court alleging FTCA violations (IIRC 18 USC 1983) and tell the school board to stop with the equal protection violation, or, slap the school board across the face with a hefty money judgment.

This behavior is just repugnant. Good on Wimberly for defying all manners of stereotypes.

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