Crying "Wolf!" - Page 2

Articles in this Topic Discussions in this Topic

Page 2

Dec 7, 1998

This story is funny and not funny at the same time. Not wishing to negate anyone's feelings, I have never thought of the word "nappy" as a word with negative connotations. In fact, everytime I think of the word, I can't help but remember Stevie Wonder singing "Lookin' back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy..." I always thought of that song as a celebration of childhood, and never did I think of "nappy-headed" as being any different than "blondie" or "schimmel," all words we used to refer to my younger brother, who was the lone blonde in an enormous extended family of brunettes. I'm sure some people have used the word "nappy" as a negative; but does this fact make it a bad word?

My guess, which is admittedly completely unsubstantiated, is that perhaps the main reason the teacher's intent was even questioned was that she is white. Would parents have even questioned a black teacher reading this book? If they had questioned it, would they have accepted that she was only trying to build up pride in their heritage?

Final Thoughts

Sometimes claims of discrimination are too insignificant to even waste time thinking about; does it really matter that Disney uses creative discretion in drawing bugs?

Other situations, while ludicrous, must be addressed. We must stop presuming that others who are different are against us from the get-go. And when we allege discrimination, we must be certain of the facts. It is an ignorant person who condemns a book they have not read, or who stereotypes a person they have not come to know.

The fact is, when we claim racism where none exists, we dilute the true meaning of the word "discrimination," and people begin to turn a deaf ear to allegations of unfairness. We then hold the blame when people no longer care.

Go To Page: 1 2

The copyright of the article Crying "Wolf!" - Page 2 in Diversity is owned by Melissa Sztuczko-Payk. Permission to republish Crying "Wolf!" - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.