I just saw some footage of this 'shocking' incident. Some of the uproar appears to have died down by now, but frankly I'm amazed at the attention it got. After reading about the comment, I, like many others, thought "what was this guy thinking?" But after seeing the footage, and the atomosphere, and the reaction of the kids, I shook my head at the power of the press. What a waste of journalism.
I don't know anything about this Riordan guy and have no reason to defend him, but anybody present would say that this was a non-issue. That he said her name meant "stupid dirty girl" was about on par with calling her a "darnit head" or a "poopie-doopie". At worst, it amounted to an odd choice of words, but this was a harmless tease, and the kids were immediately amused.
It's funny how a written account of something takes a certain shape in your mind, and how far that can be from the actual events. Please promise me you will read the news with an open mind.
What's funny is that a state assemblyman actually scheduled a big civil rights protest before learning that actually the girl was as aryan as they come.
since when is a 6-year-old in preschool?
Posted by: natalie at July 12, 2004 09:30 AMmaybe that's why he called her 'stupid'.
good point. and what's your theory on "dirty"? she doesn't look much like christina aguilera...
Posted by: natalie at July 12, 2004 12:16 PMmaybe it was right after recess.
Posted by: abe at July 12, 2004 03:30 PMalways thinking. i like that.
Posted by: natalie at July 13, 2004 12:11 PMalways thinking. i like that.
Posted by: natalie at July 13, 2004 12:11 PMi think that's enough now, natalie.
Posted by: abe at July 13, 2004 01:18 PMi thought you wanted more comments... just trying to do my part.
Posted by: natalie at July 13, 2004 01:44 PM