Old school moves in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…
• “Slave labor is the way to go because slaves aren’t paid, so all money is profit,” declared a sixth-grade student from Grover Cleveland Middle School in Caldwell, New Jersey. As part of a social studies assignment created by two language arts teachers at the school, students were asked to create an advertising campaign hyping slave labor for a newly built plantation. In fact, this is the second consecutive year the project has been given to the kids. “Our intent was not to be insensitive,” announced the school principal, responding to complaints from parents. “After reviewing the assignment and listening to feedback, from an administrative and teaching perspective, we determined it was insensitive and inappropriate. And we will eliminate it from the curriculum.” However, the students can now expect to be heavily recruited by Madison Avenue advertising agencies.
• Shock jock Don Imus is reportedly wrapping up the details on a new contract that will put him back on the air via Citadel Broadcasting. This news gives the kids at Grover Cleveland Middle School a lesson about the power of White bigotry.
• Desperate Housewives sparked controversy over a politically-incorrect punchline delivered by Teri Hatcher’s character in the season premiere episode. After the character was told during a doctor’s examination that she might be going through menopause, she remarked, “OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren’t, like, from some med school in the Philippines?” Philippine officials protested, while viewers launched a petition that read, “A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field.” ABC responded with an apology that included, “The producers of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines. … As leaders in broadcast diversity, we are committed to presenting sensitive and respectful images of all communities featured in our programs.” Um, isn’t broadcast diversity almost an oxymoron on network television?
[Thanks to Bill Green of Make The Logo Bigger for pointing out a few of these news items.]
No comments:
Post a Comment