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A school newspaper article - was it wrong to talk about the subject? |
| From "Students' frankness sets of OPS uproar", Lynn Safranek, Omaha World-Herald, Saturday 4/14/2007. The Omaha Public Schools on Friday condemned a four-page section in the Benson Gazette, distributed Tuesday, that tackled students' use of the word 'nigger.' The section presented the viewpoints of black and white students and staff, including the school's dean of students and athletic director. The school's principal, Lisa Dale, was put on administrative leave Friday. OPS officials declined to say why. Calls came into OPS offices this week expressing concerns about the content of the section, said Luanne Nelson, an OPS spokeswoman. Some staff members from throughout the district, plus some Benson community members and students, were offended, she said. On Friday, the newspaper was removed from Benson High's Web site as OPS announced an investigation into the matter. The district will take 'appropriate action' when the investigation is completed, according to a statement. 'The Omaha Public Schools has never condoned and cannot support the actions which recently resulted in the inappropriate articles published in the Benson High Gazette,' the statement read. 'Unacceptable decision-making by staff has violated the standards set forth by the Omaha Public Schools to appropriately guide and educate our students.' Nelson said Dale's status is pending the results of an investigation by OPS's human resources department. Dale could not be reached for comment. Benson students and parents reacted with shock and disappointment to the news that Dale had been placed on leave and that OPS disapproved of the articles. The four-page section included news stories and a transcript of a round-table classroom discussion. An editorial and two editorial cartoons produced by the newspaper staff poked fun at the dual meanings of the word and criticized the ability of one race, but not others, to use the word without repercussion. Nelson, the OPS spokeswoman, said, "There is no question that the students had a valid, spirited discussion regarding this topic." She said, however, that a high school newspaper may not be an appropriate forum, "because, as a printed piece, it can be misinterpreted." Benson senior Sarah Swift, the paper's editor in chief, disagreed. "I think a newspaper is the perfect forum," said Swift, who is white. "Why would we have newspapers at all? It may make people uncomfortable, but you can't talk about things that people are always OK with. We can't just ignore the bad things and hope they go away." So, what do you think? Were they right to write the article? |
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